- Apostolic Christian Church of America

Transcription

Vol. 70, #4
Apr. 2015
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Called to the
Righteousness of
Christ page 3
Monthly Sermon page 4
Responding to the
Ebola Epidemic page 6
Workmen Rightly
Dividing the Word page 7
A Triangular Model
of Love page 8
Remembering Our
Spiritual Heritage
page 66
The Light of Hope
page 67
For as the earth bringeth forth her
bud, and as the garden causeth the
things that are sown in it to spring
forth; so the Lord GOD will cause
righteousness and praise to spring forth
before all the nations.
Isaiah 61:11
To Our Readers
Correspondence
For May Issue
(news from Mar 16-Apr 15)
Due: April 20, 2015
A Month of Fresh Starts
Here in the Midwest, we’re enjoying the awakening of the earth
from its winter slumber. New life is springing forth, bringing with
it optimism about the future and implicit trust that God Almighty
will provide the sunshine and rain necessary for growth through the
months ahead. It encourages us, and points us to God’s mercies, grace
and provision.
If there is an area of your life that could use a fresh start, may we
encourage you to entrust it to Jesus, who can make all things new?
The Silver Lining
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In Christian Love,
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Rick Plattner and Tom Stock
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The Silver Lining
Photos courtesy of: Front cover: Early spring in Muskingum County, OH; Sis. Donna
Dotterer, Akron, OH. Back cover: “Hallowed Haven”, a barred owl chick in Ellington, CT;
Bro. Eric Virkler, Rockville, CT.
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SILVER LINING April 2015
Writings based on God’s Word
Light from the Word
Called to the Righteousness of Christ, Not Our
Self-Righteousness
As we begin this next segment of topics under the
heading of Nurturing the Believer, we want to return
to first principles of a life lived in sanctification
toward God. Just as the February article emphasized
the critical aspect of God’s call to repentance and its
fundamental importance in Presenting the Gospel,
God’s Word calls the believer to be His disciples,
bearing much fruit as we keep His commandments
and abide in His love.
John the Baptist began his teaching by calling all
to repentance in advance of the imminent coming of
the Messiah Jesus. Many came confessing their sins
and were baptized by John in the wilderness. “John
did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of
repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out
unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem,
and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan,
confessing their sins” (Mark 1:4-5).
In his ministry, John was clear that he was only
the forerunner, and that his role was to point people
to the Master. He took his cues from Isaiah by being
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the
way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Matt. 3:3-4,
Isaiah 40:3). Although he often drew great crowds,
and could have easily become caught by the lure of
human popularity, he recognized and honored Jesus,
saying, there standeth one among you, whom ye know
not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before
me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose”
(John 1:26-27). And when time came for his earthly
ministry to come to a close, he willingly yielded to
God’s plan, acknowledging, “He must increase, but I
must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all”
(John 3:30-31).
While we draw a positive example from John’s
humility, his interactions with the Pharisees also
provide a contrasting reminder of the dangers of
self-righteousness. When they followed the crowds
to the Jordan River to hear John, he called out their
insincerity with a stern, “O generation of vipers, who
hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”
(Matt. 3:7).
What was it about the Pharisees that led to John’s
warning? Evidently they were over-relying upon
Abraham (their spiritual heritage) and neglecting to
bring forth the fruit of a life given wholly to God’s
service. Romans 10:1-4 further clarifies this warning.
As he called them to repentance, John had a special
exhortation, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for
repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We
have Abraham to our father…(for) every tree which
bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast
into the fire” (Matt. 3:8-10).
Jesus greatly expanded on John’s condemnation
of the self-righteousness of the Pharisees later in
His ministry (Matt. 23). While He acknowledged
their spiritual place (Moses’ seat, v. 2) and that their
teachings were to be observed, sadly, He had to warn
against mimicking their actions. This stands in stark
contrast to the model Jesus taught of the disciple
following the master. And the pattern of the master
is a servant, walking in faith, humility, and love.
After noting that, “whosoever shall exalt himself shall
be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be
exalted, (Matt. 23:12), He went on to issue several
“woes” of condemnation (v. 13-39) to give emphasis
to the warning of these dangerous spiritual examples.
He exposed their spiritual blindness and selfrighteous living, calling them hypocrites.
How then must the believer walk if he is to
avoid these pitfalls of self-righteousness? God speaks
through Isaiah that He will look “to him that is
— Please turn to pg. 62
April 2015 SILVER LINING
3
Monthly Sermon
Sermon by Bro. Dewayne
Dill, Minneapolis, MN
But then we go off to a botanical garden or
someplace like that and there are the same flowers.
We take our cameras with us and we go take all these
Genesis 28 & Ephesians 1
pictures because it was the intent to go to that place
and to see those flowers. But in the busyness of life,
Isn’t it just amazing how God cares for us? We
we walk by all sorts of flowers day after day after day.
sing together, “Oh, let all that is within me adore Him” Maybe we even kind of grumbled that the guy who
(The Praise of God, Zion’s Harp #5). Then He gives us was watering them or dead-heading them or whatever
a chapter that just so concisely summarizes what we
was in our way as we were bustling in to wherever
have received in Christ Jesus. He prepares that with
we were going and never really appreciated that there
this experience that Jacob made as he is journeying
was all these flowers right there along our path. We
to take a wife. He comes to this place, and he lays
missed all of them and instead set aside a particular
his head down to sleep. God gives him this dream.
day when we go to observe.
He awakes from the dream in verse 16 and says, “…
Jacob perhaps began it as what he thought was
Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.”
just another night of rest. There’s this dream that
I guess as I thought about that I wondered if you he has. It’s a dream that the kids study in Sunday
and I aren’t much the same way as Jacob was. He was School. We oftentimes imagine what that was like.
following his father’s instructions. He was going to
What was it like to see this “…ladder set up on the
get himself a wife and was probably making a beeline earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold
to that spot. He had certain purposes and certain
the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And,
plans, and he needed a few hours of sleep. He might
behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the
have been getting kind of drowsy. There’s this that
LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of
happens that’s more than just a night of rest. There’s
Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it,
this encounter that he has, and God says wait a
and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the
minute. Where are you going? What is it that you are earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and
doing? Let’s just stop and consider some things.
to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in
You and I oftentimes are much the same way.
thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be
We get very set on the things we have to do, the
blessed.” (v.12-14).
places we need to go, what we need to accomplish,
He indeed goes and his encounter with Laban
and we’re very active in doing those things. Along
is difficult. He eventually comes back, and with
the way, it might be beautiful blue skies and crystal
great bitterness of anguish, he has sons that deal
clear mornings, such as we enjoyed this morning. I
treacherously with him and sell his beloved son
often think about this in the summertime — how
to a group of merchants who take him down into
many places do we go to where we walk by flowers
Egypt. He lives much of his life in this place with
that are in bloom? We walk right by the flowers and
this heaviness of heart. He eventually is allowed to
go to wherever it is that we are going. We never stop
go down into Egypt, restored to this favorite son
and admire the flowers. They are just there and we
of his. It’s not until many hundred years later that
see them. They look pretty and we feel thankful or
this promise that was made to Jacob is actually
maybe not.
realized when they carry his bones out of Egypt
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and bring it all back. They come back as this mighty
nation, and they eventually have a miraculous entry
into this land. They occupy the land. They divide the
inheritance and actually name the different regions
of the land according to the tribes, the sons of Jacob.
The fulfillment of this particular dream, this vision
that he was given, wasn’t something he ever saw. It was
something that was given to you and me that we can
look back and can see that God was indeed faithful
to what He promised Jacob in that particular dream.
Much of Jacob’s life was in bitterness and in anguish.
We think about his experience with Laban, his
experience with his sons, his heartache over Joseph,
and finally living out his years in a foreign land.
So as we think about this promise and this hymn
writer saying, “Oh, let all that is within me adore
Him”, there is this, if you call it, reality check that we
have to have in saying that He is God and we’re going
to adore Him. We adore Him upon His right to be
God, that He is the potter and we are the clay, that it
is His will, His purpose, and that which He seeks to
accomplish He will indeed accomplish.
So in Ephesians here, when Paul writes to them
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen
us in him before the foundation of the world, that we
should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
(v.3-4). When we think about this adoring Him and
really being thankful that we are His, there is this
necessity that we recognize that it’s for better, for
worse, for good, for evil, for riches, or just like in our
marriage vows, that we recognize that His promises
are true. What He does, He does well, but it is
according to His plan.
He says “According as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love: Having
predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of
his will”. (v.4-5). Last evening we kind of hinted
a little bit at some of this perplexing language. In
this language, “as he hath chosen us in him before the
foundation of the world”, what was it that God knew?
What was it that God chose?
Sometimes there are these really, really heavy
stones that it’s probably best we try not to lift. Some
try to argue, to lift them one direction and others
try to lift them another direction, but was it chance
that you and I were born into a place where we were
born? Was it chance that we were raised as we were
raised? Was it chance that we’ve known the Scriptures
from our youth up, most of us? Was it chance that we
had loving parents? Even those that were unfaithful
parents, there were still those saw to it that we can
receive these blessings.
Why was it that God chose Jacob? Surely there
was somebody else that was sleeping on rock that
night somewhere. Why was it that Jacob saw the
dream? You know, we don’t have answers to those
things, but I do hope we think about “Oh, let all
that is within me adore Him.” I believe it was Jamie
last evening that was asked the question, to whom
much is given, what is expected of them? What is
the response that we would have to those who have
received so much?
The Apostle Paul goes on and says we’ve been
predestinated unto the adoption to the praise of the
glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted
in the beloved (v.5-6). That particular expression, “to
the praise of the glory of his grace” - he later goes
on and picks up that thought again in verse 7 and 8
of chapter 2 where he says “That in the ages to come
he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace
are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:7-8)
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As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them
who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:10
Responding to the Ebola Epidemic
The Ebola virus epidemic has created the loss of many
lives in Africa and particularly in Liberia. World
Relief’s International Grants Committee works with
many Christian international relief organizations.
When the news of this epidemic became widely
known, we received a grant request from one of these
organizations. They have been working for years to
improve the health in Liberia and had a large staff in
that country when this epidemic became widespread.
They have been working with the Liberia Ministry of
Health to combat the disease and are presently active
in 7 of the 15 counties in Liberia impacting the lives
of more than 700,000 people.
Combating the epidemic includes:
• Community education about Ebola = safe
communities. Training is being provided to
educate the general public about Ebola. How
you contract the virus? How it spreads? How
to kill it? How to report it? Training has been
provided to community health workers who then
provide infection prevention & control education
at the community level.
• Infection Prevention & Control training in
the home = safe families. Because people are
getting sick in their homes, patients need to be
cared for at home until they can be transferred
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to an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). Training is
being done to help people understand how they
can care for a loved one while reducing the risk of
the infection spreading to family members.
• Health clinic triage & Community Care
Centers = safe medical workers. Health
clinics have been given training on how to
establish a triage center, and health workers
have been trained on how to safely see patients.
The objective is to ensure that anyone with a
suspected case of the Ebola virus does not enter
the regular area of the clinic. Community care
centers have been established in three of the
refugee camps in Liberia.
World Relief funded a grant request to assist with
the expense of sending additional medical staff from
the USA to Liberia. Because of our support and that
of others, a significant difference was made in slowing
and stopping the spread of the Ebola virus. Our
partners’ work in the communities and households
helped to educate people on how to protect themselves
from Ebola and what to do if they get the symptoms.
Also, the training provided was instrumental in
keeping health facilities open by protecting doctors
and nurses from contracting the disease.
Update on Philippine disaster relief
In the Philippines, one year after typhoon Haiyan
severely damaged the islands, a second typhoon
(Mekkhala) struck the same area. Some of the homes
which had been partially rebuilt were damaged and
the families had to start over in the reconstruction/
repair process. A grant was provided to assist with the
purchase of building materials for these families.
There is also a continuing need for medical
supplies as the hospitals recover. A grant was issued
to assist with shipping these supplies.
...The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the
harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. – Matthew 9:37-38
Workmen Rightly Dividing the Word
Bible studies can help fulfill
the charge that Paul issued
to Timothy
Like splitting firewood, BSDC believes that
Bible Study material can warm the heart several
times. If gifted brothers and sisters participate in the
development, it creates an “iron sharpening iron”
environment where passages and topics must be well
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman
thought out and tested. As many Sunday School
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
teachers have testified over the years, “I learned
word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15)
the most when I taught others.” This development
Bible studies are one method that can encourage process is structured to occur within a mentoring
this endeavor. While preparation can be privately
environment, so it may engender multi-generational
edifying, systematic group studies also provide
relationships. Lastly, pilot groups are encouraged to
a means for deliberate fellowship, sharing, and
put the questions to the test and see if they keep the
counsel with our brothers and sisters. As such, they audience and participants focused on the Scriptures
are not meant to replace — but rather to enrich — and the personal application of God’s Word.
our individual devotion time for reading, study,
Before quickly agreeing to participate, one may
and meditation.
be wise to count the cost. Brothers on the BSDC
have found that generating original content consumes
Adapted Studies & Home-grown Material significant amounts of time and requires patience
For several years a Bible Study Development
through the editing process. If you are interested
Committee (BSDC) has been creating a structure
in participating, please consider this commitment
whereby brethren can participate in authoring topical prayerfully. If you are encouraged by God’s Spirit
or passage-centered Bible studies. Gifted brothers
to proceed, please contact the BSDC editor, (bill.
and sisters are invited to assist in the development of
[email protected]) to obtain a charter
study materials. The steps to participate have been
and a “tips for good questions” document.
listed below. Studies that are currently offered can be
found under “Bible Studies” on the acpublications.
The Process
org and apostolicchristian.org websites.
1. Write a Charter — A Charter provides an opportunity
During these same years, many churches found
to answer basic questions about the content.
edification through adapted Bible studies written by
• Who is the intended audience? (e.g. A group
established Christian publishing companies. Brothers
of 4-5 couples or singles)
from local churches as well as from Apostolic Christian
• What is the purpose of the study? (e.g. To
Counseling and Family Services (ACCFS) have carried
stimulate brethren to pray with persistence.)
on that endeavor. Now ACCFS has been given increased
• How will the study be structured (e.g It will
responsibility to review, select, adapt, and publish these
be 7-10 chapters covering different facets on
materials. By the end of 2015 they expect to have nearly
the topic of prayer.)
20 Bible studies approved for use by our brethren and
• What Topics will be covered?
available for purchase. Those are presently listed under
2. What verses will be used for Scripture Memory?
“ACCFS Sponsored Bible Studies” on accounseling.org,
but will transition to acpublications.org later this year.
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A Triangular Model of Love
How do you define love? Is it a feeling or a choice?
Both? Love can be hard to describe and define because
it has multiple facets and meanings. This article shows
how several aspects of love interact for the purpose
of helping you better understand love in marital
relationships. And we have known and believed the love
that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in
love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16)
Triangle 1: God - Husband - Wife
This commonly known diagram shows the
relationships between a husband, wife, and God.
Each line represents a relationship: God – Husband;
God – Wife; and
Husband – Wife.
As the spouses grow
closer to God in their
personal relationship
with Christ, they also
grow closer to each
other. This shows
the importance of
spiritual growth over time. When each spouse has
a healthy and growing relationship with God, their
love for Christ is reflected and lived out in the
marriage. Spiritual stagnation and/or backsliding
in one spouse’s individual relationship with God
gradually leads to deterioration of marital and
family relationships as well. Marriages in which one
spouse is a believer and the other is not (“unequally
yoked”) and marriages of two unbelievers lead to
unbalanced and misshapen triangles. The spiritual
dimension of marriage is the most intimate and core
component of marriage because all other aspects of
the relationship are developed out of it.
Triangle 2: Commitment - Emotional
Intimacy - Passion
Marriages that are healthy and growing will display
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the following
three major
aspects of love:
Commitment,
Emotional
Intimacy, and
Passion. Each
aspect of love
interacts with the others; they are interrelated. If you
want your marital love to deepen over time, you can’t
simply be strong in one area and ignore the others.
COMMITMENT = CHRIST-LIKE, SELFSACRIFICIAL LOVE (Agape)
The Commitment side of love is a decision/choice that
one person makes to sacrificially love another. The
Greek word “Agape” best describes this Christ-like, selfsacrificial love. Agape love is repeatedly used in the New
Testament to describe Christ’s love toward us and what
our love should be toward others. Agape love is unique
in that it focuses on the well-being and good fortune
of the other person without requiring or demanding
that the other person responds in kind. Christ is our
example: “But God commendeth his love [agape] toward
us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Rom. 5:8. The Commitment side of love is evident when
couples decide to marry and stay together for richer, for
poorer, for better, or for worse. It is not based on feelings
that go up and down due to situational factors or how
much love the other person “deserves” at any given time.
Commitment is the foundation of trust in a marriage.
With the Commitment side of love solidly in place,
couples can freely build the second aspect of love in this
model: Emotional Intimacy.
EMOTIONAL INTIMACY = AFFECTION
(Storge) + FRIENDSHIP (Phileo)
Use of the word intimacy in this model refers to
Emotional Intimacy, not sexual intimacy. The
Emotional Intimacy side of love is the result of blending
two important aspects of love. This allows couples to
share their hearts and feel they are “best friends.”
Affection (Greek = Storge): This aspect refers to
familial affection and care. In a marital relationship,
this is lived out when one spouse intentionally focuses
on expressions of love that are helpful and meaningful
to the other spouse. It is essential to remember that
we each tend to express love the way that we like to
receive love, rather than focusing on what makes our
spouse feel loved. Affection, as a part of Emotional
Intimacy, is not about physical intimacy. We are truly
affectionate when we purposefully and regularly apply
the combination of quality time, words of affirmation,
gifts, acts of service and physical touch that is
meaningful to our spouse.
Friendship (Greek = Phileo): This aspect refers
to the regular communication of thoughts, feelings,
hopes and disappointments, etc. between spouses.
Friendship grows as they spend time together and
develop a collection of memories and experiences
unique or special to them as a couple. In the
emotional/relational sense it is the experience of
“knowing and being known.”
Due to the safety and trust of Commitment
and the emotional connection and expression of
Emotional Intimacy, couples have the opportunity to
experience Passion.
PASSION = ROMANTIC & SEXUAL LOVE
THAT ENCOMPASSES HEART, SOUL,
MIND, AND BODY (Eros)
The Passionate side of love is the exciting and
exhilarating part of love that creates the feeling
of “being in love.” Romance often occurs as an
expression of focused Emotional Intimacy. It is the
bridge between Emotional Intimacy and Passion.
True Passion connects deeply with the heart, mind,
body, and soul of your spouse. Romance allows
couples to experience times of being very close,
emotionally and relationally, in a way that rekindles
their Passionate love. The foundation of Commitment
and Emotional Intimacy allows a couple’s Passionate
feelings and sexual relationship the opportunity
to draw them closer together. It is important to
remember that while Passion is an intense and exciting
expression of love, it is only experienced periodically
(versus continuously) and is heavily dependent upon
the health of Commitment and Emotional Intimacy.
HOW THE TYPES OF
LOVE WORK TOGETHER
Commitment (1) = Self-Sacrifice
Emotional Intimacy (2) = Friendship
Passion (3) = Excitement
While certainly an oversimplification, consider each
of the sides of love as listed above. Keep in mind that
every couple’s triangle is constantly changing shape and
size. While, theoretically, having all sides of the triangle
balanced is the goal, life simply does not allow it to stay
that way for very long. Conflict, hurt, and/or damage to
any side of the triangle will affect the other sides.
Example One: During a time when a spouse
is sick with the stomach flu, the Commitment side
of love must be the strongest. During times like
these the Emotional Intimacy side of love may be
gently nurtured while the Passionate side is put “on
hold.” Under the circumstances, this “imbalance” is
necessary and will hopefully change as soon as the
spouse’s health returns. It is important to note that
when the Passionate side is waning during the illness,
the Commitment and Emotional Intimacy sides must
make up the balance.
Example Two: Danger Ahead! – Low
commitment with high “pseudo-intimacy” and
high “pseudo-passion.” When the Commitment
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Congregation Updates
Apostolic Christian Home
for the Handicapped
www.achh.org
“Give unto the Lord the glory due
unto his name: bring an offering,
and come into his courts. O worship
the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
fear before him all the earth.”
Psalm 96: 8-9
Worshipping the Lord is a
meaningful and important part of
our lives. The residents are given
opportunity to worship God on
Sundays and other times through
the week. Some of them attend
church with their parents when
they are home on weekends or are
picked up on Sunday mornings
by their family. Others choose
to stay home and participate in a
Sunday morning worship time at
Timber Ridge. Others call in or
listen online to the Washington
church Sunday services. Many
of the Group Home residents
take the opportunity to attend
the adult Sunday School classes
that are held at both our Morton
and Washington churches. They
participate in singing, prayer, and
hearing God’s Word in a way
that they can comprehend and
appreciate. Their minds and hearts
take in the truths of the Bible and
the words of the hymns. Sunday
mornings are a joyful time for
them to get dressed in their best
clothes and travel to church to
see acquaintances, friends and
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teachers that many of them have
known for a number of years.
We are so grateful for the warm
welcome the residents receive
each time they attend, and for the
untiring efforts of the teachers
who prepare the lessons and allow
themselves to be used.
The hymn sing held at Timber
Ridge once a month on Friday
evenings is a favorite of all and
well-attended by residents in all
of our homes. We appreciate the
congregations making effort to
come and worship in song with the
residents. Other groups of young
people or families visit and sing
or play music at various times of
the month. Additionally, there are
faithful volunteers who visit several
of our homes monthly for a time
of worship and Bible study. Thank
you to all who help to provide
opportunities for our individuals
here at the Home to worship God
in truth and in Spirit!
Gateway Woods Apostolic
Christian Children’s Home
Charla Leman – Gateway Woods
Counselor
April is National Counseling
Awareness month, which focuses
on educating the public about
the role of counselors in helping
individuals to live healthier,
happier, and more productive
lives. When I was going to school
for social work and counseling I
would often tell my dad that I was
working to become a professional
friend to others. Through
counseling, an individual can
build a therapeutic relationship
with their counselor to work
on life issues and concerns of
mental health, life circumstances,
and problems that have caused
emotional upheaval. This is all
done with the overall goal of
behavioral change, improved
communication and coping skills,
and stability.
Why is counseling
important? The Bible discusses
how there is wisdom in being
accountable to others and seeking
advice from those who may
not agree with you, rather who
challenge your thinking errors.
This approach of putting things
into perspective can enable an
individual to work out God’s
plan and direction. As humans,
we are so easily influenced by
our own emotions. Having a
person to be a sounding board
can help with clarity.
What are the benefits of
counseling? Even as a counselor
I receive counseling. Counseling
helps an individual to understand
their thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors. It can reduce stress and
help someone to identify goals for
the future. It helps the counselee
to realize that some behaviors or
struggles are more common than
they may think. I remember being
younger and thinking that I was
the only one struggling with…fill
in the blank. I believe that this is
a lie that Satan tells us to make us
feel separated from God. Through
counseling, it is possible to realize
that based on situations, past
experiences, or personality that
some people may be more prone
to struggle with certain things.
This awareness helps an individual
to recognize sin in their lives
and recognize a need for change.
This understanding can aid in
relationships with others and
more importantly a relationship
with the Lord.
How people can support and
pray for counselors? At times
counselors struggle with self-care
and setting limits. By praying that
a counselor you know can be in
the Word and establishing and
maintaining boundaries, you will
be able to support them.
Proverbs 11:14 “Where no
counsel is, the people fall: but in the
multitude of counselors there is safety.”
News:
Gateway Woods is awarding
scholarships to students enrolled
in undergraduate or postgraduate
work leading to a degree in a social
services field. The scholarships
are available to any member of
the Apostolic Christian Church
or friend who attends on a
regular basis. A description of
the scholarship and application
are available by contacting Chad
Kaeb by phone at 888.443.4283 or
email chad.kaeb@gatewaywoods.
org. More information is available
at gatewaywoods.org/scholarships
Applications should be submitted
by June 15, 2015.
We are searching for a
Summer Volunteer Coordinator
for 2015. Please see the notice
in this issue or contact Bro.
Clint Plattner at clint.plattner@
gatewaywoods.org or 260.627.2159
for more information. This is
a great opportunity to impact
the lives of the children on our
campus! As one former resident
put it “It really makes a huge
difference to [residents] when
volunteers come out. It’s great
when they work with us and play
Frisbee and stuff. We notice.”
We are also searching for our
Summer Education Intern and Top
Quality Coordinator. Please see the
notices in this issue or contact Bro.
Adam McAfee at adam.mcafee@
gatewaywoods.org or 260.627.2159
for more information. This is a
great opportunity to gain some
experience while impacting our
residents!
We have begun the process
of launching a new program! The
Linking to Attain Responsibility
& Community, or LARC
initiative seeks to build organic
relationship between former
Gateway Woods clients and
community partners. These
relationships will lead to
employment opportunities,
mentorship, spiritual growth
and more. More information
about this program is available at
gatewaywoods.org/LARC. We are
currently in the process of hiring a
LARC coordinator. See the ad in
this issue for more information.
There are four different career
positions available currently at
Gateway Woods, including:
several openings for Alternate
Houseparents, one opening for
a Counselor, one opening for a
Home-Based & Adoption Case
Worker, and one opening for a
LARC Coordinator. For more
information please see the notices
in this month’s issue or visit the
Career Opportunities page on our
website at www.gatewaywoods.
org/careers. We trust that God
will continue to provide qualified,
mature brothers and sisters who
will serve Him in a ministry that
is ‘Turning Lives Around’. Perhaps
this includes you!
Gateway Woods Illinois
Adoption Program is open for
business and seeking to serve
our Brothers and Sisters in
Illinois. Visit GatewayWoodsIL.
org or contact Sis. Luci Koch at
309.266.0767 or Luci.Koch@
gatewaywoodsil.org.
11
Alabama, Athens
Roger and Becky Roberts
“How sweet the privilege of prayer,
When we our cares and sorrows share
With Him who understands,
With Him who understands
Our Father’s house has large supplies
He owns and rules the earth and skies
And bounteous are His hands
And bounteous are His hands.”
Prayer, Hymns of Zion #205
Our prayers go out to Bro.
Mark and Sis. Rebekah Klaus
and family as they bid farewell to
Mark’s mother, Betty Klaus.
Please be prayerful about
planning to be here with us for
the Memorial Day Fellowship
Weekend. See the ad in the back
for information.
Arizona, Phoenix
Heather Hinrichsen
Sharing the Word of God
with us this month were Bros.
Mark Bahr (Detroit), Rod Bajema
(Lester), Lynn Stieglitz (Leo), Nick
Gutwein (W. Lafayette), and
Doug Moser (Morris North).
We thank Bro. Ed Schwartz
for giving a presentation on
Loving Shepherd Ministries.
We were thankful to Deer Fry
for sharing the gospel through
music and song.
“For as often as ye eat this bread,
and drink this cup, ye do shew the
Lord’s death till he come.”
1 Corinthians 11:26.
Communion services were
held March 8 and we remembered
the Lord’s death and look forward
to His second coming.
12
Arizona, Prescott
wealth of knowledge from these
Richard Manz
and now it is our duty to apply
Greetings from Prescott! what we can through the Holy
We would like to welcome
Spirit’s guidance. Our weekends
Autumn Hohulin who has decided in March have been filled with
to make Prescott her home
these activities, but greater yet, our
church for a few months. She is
hearts have been filled with God’s
spending three months with us as work and opportunities to be
a traveling nurse. We look forward about the Father’s business.
to the blessings she will bring to
We are still lifting our loved
our small church.
ones, Bro. Bob Haas and Rob
Visiting ministers from the
Wilson, up in prayer as they
past few months included Bro.
endure ongoing treatments. We
Mike (Sis. Amber) Grimm from
want to remember that no matter
Goodfield, IL and Bro. Jon
what the challenges or burdens,
(Sis. Nancy) Kokanovich from
“With God all things are possible”.
Phoenix. We are thankful for all
those willing to serve.
California, San Diego
Arizona, Tucson
Janelle Brewer
We rejoice with Bro. Brian
and Sis. Annaleise Wagenbach as
The Tucson church has been
they made their wedding vows
blessed this past month with
on February 22 in Silverton, OR.
many visitors and for this we
Parents of the couple are Bro.
are very thankful. We want to
Doug and Sis. Lillian Wagenbach
thank Bro. Ron Allenbach (Sis.
and Bro. Troy and Sis. Sherri
Lois) for his willingness to share
Kuenzi (Silverton, OR). Many of
the pulpit while he and his wife
us were able to travel to witness
winter here. His efforts are very
this union of hearts. It is with
much appreciated. Bro. Ben
great joy that we welcome Sis.
Wiegand and Bro. Mike Leman
Annaleise to our congregation!
were here to serve Communion
We are grateful to Bro. Jim Koehl
on March 7. We were then
(Morris, MN) for being here to
blessed with the true word of God bring forth the Word while both
delivered through these dedicated ministers were gone.
elder brothers. Retired Bro. Ed
“This union of our hearts shall
Schwartz presented information
stand through grace in Jesus; We
about Loving Shepherd Ministries
walk the path of life, while cheer
and the needs in Haiti. We also
and trust increases. Where God in
were able to have Bro. Arlan Miller
truth abides, where two join hand
(Counseling Services) and his
and heart, we find a three-fold
wife, Sis. Katie, here for a seminars
cord, not lightly rent apart.”
on “Relationships” and one on
Zion’s Harp #79 v. 3
“Mentoring”. We have gained a
The weekend of February 28,
Dean and Jackie Knobloch
we were privileged to host the
Eastern European board meeting.
It was a blessing that some of them
stayed over for Sunday, including
Elder Bro. Jon Schmidgall
(Mediapolis/Oakville, IA).
We also appreciate Bro. Tony
Manz (Junction, OH) being
with us for a mid-week service
this month. May God bless all
the brothers that proclaimed the
Living Word to our congregation
this past month.
Our prayers and sympathy are
extended to Sis. Ethel Bednarski
as her brother, Bro. Elmer Schmidt
(Winthrop, MN) passed away
recently. We pray that God will
comfort and provide for the family.
“In sorrow and pain thy trust
do retain In Jesus the merciful
Saviour.” Zion’s Harp #46, v. 1
lawful and right, he shall surely live
and shall not die.” Ezek. 18:20-21.
What a promise! We all have
such an opportunity of renewal
and healing in repentance! God,
who makes “all things new” (Rev.
21:5), takes us from where we
once were and brings us into a life
of forgiveness, peace and joy. Oh
praise Him! There is hope!
Connecticut, Rockville
Lauren Gottier, Sheila Gerber
“Heavenward, e’re heavenward
let us wend our way! What the
righteous seek is there found
without delay, but not on earth.
Joy here alternates with woe; lift
on high from earth below thy
heart and mind!” Zion’s Harp
#91, The Heavenly Mind
We are thankful that Jared
Fehr (Bro. Jay and Sis. Amber
Colorado, Denver
(dec.) has decided to turn his heart
Naomi Wiegand, Tess Leman
to the Lord. May God grant him
Greetings of love from Colorado!
grace to make a true conversion.
As spring time approaches,
This month we were privileged
we are reminded of hope. A fresh
to hear the testimonies and
beginning. A new birth. The harsh witness the baptism of Bro. Jacob
and difficult time of winter is past Schneider (Bro. Tim and Sis.
and the warmth of the sunshine
Dana) and Bro. Stephen Schneider
revives, renews and awakens!
(Bro. Dave and Sis. Kim). We
A few Sundays ago, the Word
thank the Lord for the work He
was opened to Ezekiel 18. “The
has done in their lives.
soul that sinneth, it shall die. The
We appreciated the
son shall not bear the iniquity of
ministering of Bro. Mark Klaus
the father, neither shall the father
(Sis. Rebekah, Athens, AL), who
bear the iniquity of the son: the
recently visited our congregation.
righteousness of the righteous shall
He reminded us how God is in
be upon him, and the wickedness of control of even the smallest details
the wicked shall be upon him. But if in our lives.
the wicked will turn from all his sins
We bid farewell to Bro. Rob
that he hath committed, and keep
and Sis. AnnMarie Widmer, and
all my statutes, and do that which is their little boy Zeke, as they relocate
to the Ritmann, OH area. We will
miss them and wish them abundant
blessings in their new home.
Here on earth joy does
alternate with woe. Our sympathy
is extended to Bro. Bernie and
Marie Garrow and their family at
the recent passing of Bro. Bernie’s
sister, Madeline Diebold of Wright
City, MO. May God comfort
them at this time.
Our congregation has spent
much time in prayer for our
loved ones who have faced health
concerns in recent days. Bro.
Warren Zahner (Sis. Bonnie),
Bro. A.T. Foote (Sylvia), and Sis.
Lavina Ballasy (Bro. Norman)
are recovering from surgeries.
Bro. Emanuel (Sonny) Schneider
(Sis. Verona) continues to be
hospitalized. We place them in the
Lord’s hands knowing that He is
merciful and encourage them to
lift their minds heavenward.
District of Columbia,
Washington
Henrietta Meyer
After several months of not
having a caretaker, we are very
thankful to have Sis. Bonnie
Dotterer (Forrest, IL) back with
us as our caretaker. If you feel
led to support one of our small
churches, being caretakers here
would be a wonderful way to
do so. If you are interested and
are free to spend 3-4 weeks in
the DC area, please contact Sis.
Doreen Steffen at dkgsteffen@
gmail.com or 302-540-6574.
Our ministers have been
Bro. John Rassi (Sis. Heather,
April 2015
SILVER LINING
13
Tremont, IL), Bro. Jeff Neihouser
(Sis. Sue, Morton, IL), Bro. Brent
Walder (Sis. Naomi, Rockville,
CT), Bro. Calvin Schneider (Sis.
Jeannie, LaCrosse, IN), Bro. Todd
Graf (Akron, OH), Bro. Marvin
Zollinger (Sis. Pam, Smithville,
OH) and Bro. Dan Goric (Sis.
Mary-Lou, Rockville, CT). Other
visitors were from Clarendon,
Tremont, Morris and Morris
North. Thanks to all who have
included us in your plans.
On March 8, we had our
annual business meeting. (It had
been postponed due to snow a
couple weeks earlier.) The results
of the election for Trustees were
announced. Bro. Joe Bohart will
be Vice-Chairman, Bro. Phil
Steffen will be Secretary and
Bro. Barry Steffen will continue
as Treasurer. We thank these
brothers and Bro. Tom Katanic for
overseeing the physical operations
of our congregation.
With the warming of the
weather, many turn their thoughts
to vacations. There are many free
attractions in Washington, DC,
things for all the family. If you
are planning to visit Washington,
D.C. area, please contact Bro. Joe
and Sis. Holly Bohart at jbohart@
gmail.com or Sis. Henrietta Meyer
at 703 904-8301 for assistance
and to let us know how many to
expect for Sunday services.
Florida, Ft. Lauderdale
Renee Mangold
We were certainly very
blessed to have so many visiting
ministers this past month. Visiting
14
were Bro. Doyle Frauhiger (Sis.
Jane) Bluffton North, IN; Bro.
Dale Zeltwanger (Sis. Rachel)
Morris North, MN; Bro. Chuck
Kellenberger (Sis. Debbie) Elgin,
IL; Elder Bro. Kevin Ryan
(Sis. Cheryl) Rockville, CT;
Bro. Randy Gasser (Sis. Sue)
Detroit, MI; and Bro. John Grimm
(Sis. Julie) Columbus, OH. We
pray for a blessing on all who
came and shared God’s Word.
We are also grateful for the
visitors that volunteer to have the
lunch service during the winter
months. It is certainly appreciated.
We are privileged to have
beautiful weather here almost
year round. We are happy for
our friends and families that live
in other regions that Spring is
officially here.
“For behold, the winter is past; the
rain is over and gone. The flowers
appear on the earth, mother time of
singing has come, and the voice of
the turtle dove is heard in our land.”
Song 2:11-12
Florida, Fort Myers
Victor Beer
Our first Communion
service in our church in south
Fort Myers was held On Sunday
March 1, 2015. We were so
blessed to have our Elder Jeff
Streitmatter III (Sis, Lynne,
Sarasota, FL), Elder Bro, Ted
Witzig (Sis. Cindy, Morton, IL)
and Elder Mark Streitmatter (Sis.
Sara, Bloomington-Normal, IL).
Further blessings this month
were these brothers that served
us: Bro. Dan Pfister (Sis. Sherry,
Bluffton North), Bro. Ryan
Bertsch (Sis. Jessica, Bluffton
North), Bro. Chris Laukhuf (Sis.
Rachel, Latty, OH), and Bro.
David Zehr (Sis. Vicki, Gridley,
IL). Our heartfelt thanks to each
of these that so lovingly served us.
If you are considering a move
to the Naples/Fort Myers area
and would like to talk so someone
about it, please call Bro. Marvin
Steffen at 239-353-0508. I will
help you gather information on
anything from serving in a small
church to job opportunities and
housing in the area.
Midwest Food Bank update
MFB has been blessed with
many opportunities to serve the
hungry in SW Florida. Starting
with five agencies when we
opened, we are now supporting
32 agencies. At our most recent
March 24 distribution, 6800
cases of food and supplies were
shared. As the number of those
we serve goes up, so does the need
for volunteers. The community as
well as the church have responded
faithfully to that call. When
a work day is announced, it is
not unusual to have 40 to 70
dedicated volunteers show up to
meet the task, many times as far
away as Sarasota. A sincere thank
you to all for your prayers and
support. May God richly bless
each of you as we together serve
those in need in His name.
The New Beginnings
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way
the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
One of the most difficult
parts of working with the single
mothers at The New Beginnings
is dealing with the past while
trying to change the future with
them. Every mom, without fail,
comes to us with a messy past, a
rough family life and needs not
being met are usually a given. One
of the moms recently told us “I
wasn’t ever taught to live; I had
to teach myself how to survive.”
This is a concept that I can hardly
wrap my head around as I always
had what I needed growing up.
I was also taught to make good
choices (my parents will tell you
this was a struggle at times) and
work hard. The mothers we work
with will tell you their survival
was all they have thought about.
Before I really got into working
with single moms, it was very easy
to judge them and think that they
had made their own bed and now
they had to lie in it. As time goes
on however, I see no evidence in
the scripture that tells me this is
a correct way of thinking. In fact,
if God thought that about me,
I’d be in pretty awful shape right
now as I’ve made my share of bad
choices. Despite the fact we come
from such diverse backgrounds,
we all have the common thread of
being sinners; we all need Jesus.
That’s our secret weapon isn’t it?
We’re not better than anyone; we
just allow God and the Holy Spirit
to work in our lives. Through that
knowledge is the only way we start
to separate that survival instinct
from actually living life. We at
The New Beginnings desire your
prayers above all else as this work
can only be accomplished by God.
Please continue to pray for our
moms and their children as they
continue to work toward breaking
those chains of the past.
If you are interested in The
New Beginnings and want more
information, please go to our
website at thenewbeginnings.org.
If you are interested in The New
Beginnings coming to your church
for a presentation, please email
us at thenewbeginningsofswfl@
yahoo.com.
Florida, Sarasota
Kim Ott
“He is not here: for he is risen, as
he said, Come, see the place where
the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6
Rejoice! Just as Jesus Christ
promised, He rose again on the
third day! We can be so thankful
we have a Savior who died for
our sins! What love and mercy
He has for us! And the beauty of
the story continues even after the
resurrection. Not only did He grant
us the pardon from our sins, but He
kindly continues to walk with us
each day. He is there to carry us
through the challenges of this life
and help us to meet our heavenly
goal. May the name of God the
Father and His son Jesus be glorified
and praised!
We were so thankful to have
Elder Bro. Tom Waldbeser (Sis.
Susan, Atlanta, GA) assist our
Elder Bro. Jeff Streitmatter in Holy
Communion. What a blessed time
to think on all that God and His
son Jesus have done for each of
our lives. As much as it grieves our
heart to think of Jesus dying in our
place on the cross, we can be forever
grateful that we have a hope of
spending eternity in heaven. We
also have appreciated Elder Bro. Bill
Schlatter (Sis. Emily, Junction, OH)
and Bro. John Steiner (Sis. Carol,
Oakville-Mediapolis, IA) sharing in
the proclaiming of the gospel.
On the weekend of March 6, our
church family enjoyed our third
annual family camp out. Spending
time in God’s creation and in the
fellowship of each other proved to be
an enjoyable time, providing many
blessings for campers of all ages.
Georgia, Peachtree City/
Atlanta
Lexi Knapp, Elise Waldbeser
As the Easter season
approaches, our hearts here
in Georgia are filled with
overwhelming thankfulness
and joy in our Savior who
died for us. Also, we rejoice
with Abbigail West (Bro.
Brad and Sis. Stephanie) in
the surrendering of her life to
Christ through repentance. We
wish her God’s blessings in her
new walk with Him!!
Over the past month, we have
been blessed by visiting ministers
Bro. Todd Graf (Akron, OH) and
Bro. Clint Schmidt (Winthrop,
MN). Likewise, ministering
Brother Tom Lanz (Oakville,
IA) led a Bible study for the
men of our congregation on a
Wednesday night. We are so
thankful for all of these brother’s
service to our church!
It has been neat to see the end
April 2015
SILVER LINING
15
of our church remodel project in
sight! The trim, painting, kitchen,
sound, heating, plumbing, and
roofing will all be completed by
the end of the month. We are so
thankful and have been so blessed
by all of the volunteers we have
come and helped with the work.
If there is anyone coming to
the area, we would love to have
you! Our new address is: 202
Robinson Road, Peachtree City,
GA, 30269. However, please
call ahead! (Tom Waldbeser
770.463.4788 or Richard Aberle
678.364.0507.)
Illinois, Belvidere
Doreen Moser, Shayla Steffen
“Jesus what a guide and keeper,
while the tempest still is high
Storms about me, night overtakes
me, He my pilot hears my cry.”
“Joy in the Journey” was
a topic that was shared by Sis.
Cindy Eisenmann with the
Belvidere sisters. There can be so
much JOY in our journey here
on earth, but we truly need to
work on it. It was an uplifting
evening. We are grateful for time
spent in the Word, obtaining and
reviewing old and new tools on
how to keep JOY in our lives, no
matter what the circumstances.
The Lord is always close by and
will hear our prayers and be our
guide and keeper.
“Jesus I do now receive him, More
than all in Hin I find
He hath granted me forgivness, I
am his and he is mine.”
The old, old story was
proclaimed with much joy and
16
enthusiasm for our Easter program
by the Sunday school children.
May we all strive to proclaim
that HE AROSE and share the
JOY, to others around us.
The Elgin Bible Class and
teachers spent a Sunday with us
and sang for the congregation.
Our youth are such a blessing.
Thank you Sunday School teachers
for your love as you guide the
youth and point them to the Lord.
“Jesus what a friend for sinners,
Jesus lover of my soul
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He my Savior makes me whole.”
What a blessing to spend a
peaceful evening in church for
Communion. Elder Bros. Marvin
Dotterer (Sis. Nancy, Forrest, IL)
and Duane Rocke (Minneapolis,
MN) served us with much love.
Truly the Lord was present and
all were blessed to be there.
Truly He is the only one that
can make us whole.
“Jesus what a help in sorrow,
While the billows o’er me roll
Even when my heart is breaking,
he my comfort, helps my soul.”
Only the Lord can provide the
comfort and ease the sorrow here
on earth when it comes time to say
good-bye to a loved one. Sis. Jen
Johnson’s mother, Peggy Kerrins,
will be missed by their family, Bro.
Trent, Kole, Kline and Kellen.
“Jesus what a strength in weekness.
Let me hide myself in Him
Tempted, tried and sometimes failing,
He my strength my vict’ry wins.”
May Bro. Dean Steffen and
Bro. Brian Anliker and their
familys feel the prayers of the
church body as they deal with
illness. Certainly our strength
comes from the Lord when we are
weak as humans.
“Hallelujah, What a Savior
Hallelujah, What a Friend
Saving, helping, keeping, loving
He is with me to the END.”
Our Great Savior, #393
Combined Hymnal
Illinois, BloomingtonNormal
Sarah Maurer, Terri Huber
With the shining sun and
warmer weather, it has been an
increasing joy to prepare for the
coming Easter season; looking to
Christ and His resurrected life for
true joy and hope in life.
Bro. Cody and Sis. Maggie
Maher, as well as big sister Lucy,
are excited to announce the arrival
of Drew Matthew Maher into
their family. Grandparents include
Bro. Richard and Sis. Dawn
Huber of Fairbury and Bro. Dan
and Sis. Kim Maher of Roanoke.
We also welcome two new
members to our church body
with the baptisms of Bro. Klint
Edelman, son of Bro. Alan and
Sis. Wendy Edelman and Sis.
Ashlyn Gramm, daughter of
Bro. Brad (dec.) and Sis. LuAnn
Gramm. We rejoice with them
during this happy time.
This past month has also
brought sadness as we mourn
William Fehr’s (Helen) passing.
William was from Fairbury and
was the father of Sis. Marlene
(James) Steidinger and Bro.
John (Sis. Jennifer) Fehr of
Bloomington. Another loved one
who has entered the arms of Jesus
this month is Sis. Jean (Bro. Louis,
dec.) Kieser of Bloomington.
Sis. Jean was the mother of Bro.
Robert (Sis. Laura) Kieser, Bro.
David (Sis. Wilma) Kieser, Sis.
Emily (Bro. John) Maurer, and
Bro. Paul (Sis. Karen) Kieser of
Bloomington. Sis. Jean leaves
behind many grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
We express a special thank
you to Elder Bro. Jeff (Sis. Ruth)
Grimm of Goodfield, Bro. James
(Sis. Brenda) Fehr of Tremont,
and Elder Bro. Randy (Sis.
Karen) Kellenberger of Kansas
City who have ministered to us
this past month.
“For whosoever shall give you a
cup of water to drink in my name,
because ye belong to Christ, verily
I say unto you, he shall not lose his
reward.” Mark 9:41
Illinois, Bradford
Roseann Stahl, Sandi Joos
“Preach the word; be instant
in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering
and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2
This past month, Bro. Gary
Endress (Sis. Ev) retired from the
ministry. We are appreciative of
the many years of service Bro.
Gary and Sis. Ev have given to our
Bradford church and the service
they continue to give.
Bro. Dan Moser (Sis. Anne,
Elgin, IL) and Bro. Jeff Leman
(Sis. Val, Bluffton North) brought
the Word to us this past month.
“Lo, children are a heritage of the
Lord: and the fruit of the womb is
his reward.” Psalm 127:3
Shannon and Brianna
Gudeman are first-time
parents to little Aleya Rose.
Grandparents are Bro. Brad and
Sis. Teresa Gudeman and Doug
and Beth Rinkenberger.
Joe and Geri Kieser became
grandparents again as Sterling was
born to Jordan and Jerrica Blakey.
Sis. Janna Baer also became a
grandmother again as Joel Andrew
was born to Bro. Philip and Sis.
Cyrena Rassi (Bern, KS).
Within our congregation we
have two couples who have reached
the milestone of 50 years of marriage.
We rejoice and are thankful for Bro.
Jack and Sis. Nancy Knobloch and
Ron and Sue Eberle.
Kendra Baer has announced
her engagement to Jason Renner,
and her sister Renae Baer is
engaged to Chris Baker. Their
mother is Sis. Janna Baer.
We are thankful that Bro.
Jordan Elsasser is once again able
to assemble with us after recovering
from an ankle replacement.
Illinois, Champaign
Sarah Eisenmann
Greetings from ChampaignUrbana!
Sympathy is extended
to Bro. Greg and Sis. Shelly
Kaeb (daughter Sheyenne)
on the passing of Bro. Greg’s
grandmother, Sis. Jean Kieser of
Bloomington, IL. We also extend
sympathy to Bro. Caleb Klaus on
the passing of his grandmother,
Sis. Betty Klaus of Washington,
IL. We pray that God will
comfort these families during this
difficult time.
February 21 was the annual
Parent/Church appreciation
supper hosted by our young group.
We were blessed by the singing,
the delicious meal and by the
many parents who came from out
of town to be appreciated by their
college students.
We are thankful for several
visiting ministers this month,
including Bro. Brad Metz (Sis.
Karen; Bloomington, IL), Elder
Bro. Rick Plattner (Sis. Mary;
Fairbury, IL), and Elder Bro. Ron
Messner (Sis. Pam; Washington,
IL). Thank you for all you do!
Illinois, Chicago
Diana Eisenmann
Greetings from Chicago!
Blizzard conditions led to
cancellation of church services
on the first Sunday in February.
We are grateful for the Lord’s
protection through this cold winter.
We held our annual business
meeting in January. We are
thankful for God’s faithfulness
again in this past year, and we
offer our appreciation and support
to our brothers and sisters with
new roles this year.
In February we were blessed
to have Elder Bro. Paul Messner
(Sis. Jan, Winthrop, MN) visit
us to help with the reading of the
Memorandum. Bro. Dave Obergfel
(Sis. Kathleen, Peoria, IL) visited in
March. We appreciate their labors
in the ministry.
Also in February we held our
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annual Sunday School Benefit
Dinner to raise money for our
biennial Sunday School Mission
Trip. The theme was “In Him
We Live and Move and Have
Our Being,” and, following a
spaghetti dinner, we enjoyed skits
and songs shared by the Sunday
School children.
In March the church caretaker
house was torn down. This lot
adjacent to the church will
be converted to green space
with the possibility for future
parking expansion.
We are excited to announce
three new additions to our
church family. Daisha Kay was
born to Bro. Mark and Sis.
Laura Lindberg on January 18.
Renaud and Suzanne Gudeman
Subra welcomed Emeric Hugo
on February 5. Theodore Steven
Funk was born on March 3 to
Bro. Ryan and Sis. Alyssa. We
rejoice with these families for this
wonderful blessing.
We mourn the loss of
Bro. S. Roy Funk (Gridley,
IL), grandfather of Sis. Diana
Eisenmann and Sis. Lydia Rassi
(Tremont, IL), mother of Sis.
Kathy Schlatter and grandmother
of Sis. Katrina Cordero. We lift
up their families in prayer and
rejoice for the hope of salvation
they had through our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
Illinois, Cissna Park
Sandy Rudin, Janie Waldbeser
“Each day I’ ll do a golden deed,
By helping those who are in need;
My life on earth is but a span,
18
And so I’ ll do the best I can.
Life’s evening sun is sinking low,
A few more days and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done,
Where there will be no setting
sun.” Hymns of Zion #139
There were a number of us
who traveled down to Vilonia,
Arkansas where our World Relief
team is building and repairing
houses that had tornado damage.
What a blessing to work together
with brethren from across the
land! On that same note, at our
local World Relief Family night
we made kits for those in need.
It is always time well spent in the
service of our Lord.
The Young Group hosted an
invite on March 1. The sound of
young voices filling our assembly
was a blessing for all! Bro. Harvey
Kaeb (Gridley) was here to inspire
us with the Word of God.
We were thankful to have
Elder Bro. Trent Meiss (Eureka)
with us to assist our Elder
Bro. Tom in the reading of the
Memorandum. We thank them
for their labors in encouraging us
to a closer walk with our Savior.
Sarah Maul (Bro. Bill & Sis.
Wanda) and Justin Decker were
married on February 28. We pray
for God’s guidance in their new
life together.
Bro. Craig Martin (Princeville)
came on a Wednesday night to
bless us with a Bible Presentation
on The Manifestation of God in
a Fallen World. We thank him
for his efforts on our behalf. Also
Bro. Zach Anderson (Congerville)
shared the Word of Life with us
this past month. It was good to
have him ‘home’ here in Cissna
Park with us and bless us.
Babies are a blessing in our
lives! We have had numerous
grandchildren born into the lives
of our loved ones here in Cissna
Park. God has blessed Bro. Eric
& Sis. Lou Ann Kaeb with a new
granddaughter. Elyse Victoria
Hartter has come into the lives
of her parents Bro. John & Sis.
Teresa Hartter (Bluffton North),
Bro. Rod & Sis. Beth Steffen are
thankful for little Penn August
Wieland. His first-time parents
are Troy & Chelise Wieland
from Leo, IN. Also a precious
little grandson has come into the
lives of Bro. Arlyn & Sis. LaNae
Rudin. Rayce James came to
bless the home of Brian & Bree
Rudin. Sis. Velma Rinkenberger
has become a first-time greatgrandma with the birth of little
Aleya Rose Gudeman. Her parents
are Shannon & Brianna Gudeman
(Bradford). May God grant the
needed grace for each of these
couples to rear these precious little
souls to live for Him.
Sis. Marilyn Knapp, Sis.
Sal Markwalder, and Matthew
Laubscher (Bro. Walt & Sis. Sylvia)
have experienced medical issues this
month. We pray God can continue
to be with them as they recover.
As Easter is upon us, may
each of us go out to Calvary and
remember what our wonderful
Savior did for us on the Cross as
He died and shed His precious
blood for our sins. But more
importantly, He did not stay in the
grave, but arose on that glorious
morning that the entire world
could experience His saving grace.
Let us stay close to His Heart.
Illinois, Congerville
Erica Steffen
“Know ye that the Lord He is God:
it is he that hath made us, and not
we ourselves; we are his people, and
the sheep of his pasture. Enter into
his gates with thanksgiving, and into
his courts with praise; be thankful
unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is
everlasting; and his truth endureth to
all generations” Psalm 100:3-5
We are thankful for another
soul who has turned her back on
the world to embrace new life in
Christ by making a beginning in
repentance. By God’s grace we
have many other young converts
who continue to need our prayers
and encouragement as they seek
peace with God and man.
Two precious new babies were
added to the homes of two couples
in our congregation. Eric and
Jodi Zimmerman welcomed their
second daughter, Addalynn Joy
on February 20. Big sister August,
along with grandparents Bro. Ben
and Sis. Kathy Zimmerman and
Bro. Jon and Sis. Rita Wettstein
of Bloomfield also welcome the
arrival of this precious little girl.
Bro. Jeremy and Sis. Janae
Stickling also welcomed a daughter
into their family. Brynn Larae
arrived on March 2. Celebrating
her arrival are older brother Kelton
and grandparents, Bro. Scott and
Sis. Jan Stickling and Roger and
June Schultz of Oakville.
What a blessing it has been to
once again hear of two souls who
have been drawn together through
faith in the Lord to become One
in Him. We are thankful for the
engagement of our Sis. Hannah
Dietrich to Bro. Luke Anliker
(Eureka). Their parents are Bro.
John Dietrich of Congerville and
Renee Dietrich of Washington
and Bro. Art and Sis. Carol
Anliker (Eureka).
We’ve had many visiting
ministers this month who have
been a blessing to our church. Our
prayer is that they would continue
to feel the Lord’s nearness in their
ministry and visit again as the
Lord would allow. These brothers
included, Bros. Paul Kilgus (Sis.
Carmen, Fairbury), Dan Stoller
(Sis. Debra, Remington), Mark
Zimmerman (Sis. Cheryl, Eureka),
John Hartman (Sis. Rosemary,
Fairbury), Randy Gudeman
(Sis. Becky, Francesville), Craig
Stickling (Sis. Jacqueline, Peoria),
Ron Palitto (Sis. Lynell), Kevin
Knapp (Sis. Dixie, Bloomington),
and Ed Fritz (Washington). May
God grant them much grace.
Note of Thanks:
I want to express heartfelt
thanks and appreciate for all your
prayers, cards, gifts and many
other deeds of kindness during the
time of my lengthy hospital stay
and recovery. May God bless you
all. Bro. Bill Dietrich
Illinois, Elgin
Amy Gasser
We thank Elder Bro. Doug
Schock and Bro. Ryan Schock (both
from Bloomfield, IA) for sharing
God’s Word during the past month.
Elder Bro. Brad Eisenmann was also
with us that weekend.
We were blessed by a visit from
the Mortonaires on March 7-8.
Special thanks to Bro. Jeremiah
Psinas (Morton, IL) and Bro. Virgil
Metzger (Chicago, IL) who were
our visiting ministers that weekend.
Bro. Howie (Sis. Pat)
Schifferer was again hospitalized
in Arizona in the past month
while spending time with family
this winter. We are thankful that
he is now improving.
Wishing everyone a blessed
Easter!
“For, lo, the winter is past, the
rain is over and gone; The flowers
appear on the earth; the time of
the singing of birds is come, and
the voice of the turtle is heard in
our land. Song of Solomon 2:11-12
Illinois, Eureka
Debra Blunier, Linda Rocke
“The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of the singing of birds is
come.” Song of Solomon 2:12
As the miracle of Spring
appears gradually once more, it is
such a relief to have some warmer
days again. Very early in the
morning, the songs of birds rejoice,
and it even helps make it a little
easier to get up and face the day.
Perhaps we need to notice as well
that there are many other gradual
miracles unfolding around us.
We are so dependent on the
miracle of God revealing His
will through the Word. We give
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thanks that Bro. Don Manz (Sis.
Connie, Junction, OH), Bro.
John Bradle (Sis. Jill, Roanoke),
Bro. Jason Dotterer (Sis. Lynn,
Forrest), Bro. Nathan Walder (Sis.
Denise, Cissna Park), Bro. Ryan
Hoerr (Sis. Joy, Princeville) and
Bro. Chris Wuethrich (Sis. Carla,
Chicago) were willing to serve us
from the pulpit.
The Eureka Bible Class
hosted the Bible classes of
Tremont, Remington and
Wolcott, bringing many visitors
as well. The fellowship between
our congregations is a unique
blessing, too.
Marriage by faith is a
special miracle that we can
witness. We had three wedding
announcements in Eureka this
month. Bro. Merle Blunier
and Sis. Michelle Phillips
(Washington) have faith that God
has led them together. Parents
are Bro. Roger and Sis. Wendy
Blunier, and Bro. Ed Fritz (Sis.
Sally, dec.) of Washington. Also
feeling led to join their lives are
Bro. Joe Leman and Sis. Miranda
Blunier. Parents are Bro. Ed and
Sis Ruth Leman, and Bro. Sam
and Sis. Luann Blunier. Led
by faith as well are Bro. Luke
Anliker and Sis. Hannah Dietrich
(Congerville). Parents are Bro. Art
and Sis. Carol Anliker and Bro.
John Dietrich of Congerville and
Renae Dietrich of Washington.
Three other couples have also
announced their engagements.
Brian Banwart and Mary Beth
Knapp plan a spring wedding.
Their parents are Bro. Jeff and
20
Sis. Lisa Banwart, and Sis. Carol
Knapp (Bro. Dave, dec.) of
Roanoke. Malinda Zimmerman
and William Kaska, both of
Indianapolis, are also engaged.
Their parents are Bro. Loren
and Sis. Mary Zimmerman, and
Sybil Kaska of Danville. Betsy
Zimmerman is engaged to Loren
Ulrich of Deer Creek. Her
parents are also Bro. Loren and
Sis. Mary, and his are Lonnie and
Linda Ulrich of Metamora. We
wish all six couples God’s blessings
as they begin their lives together.
Reaching the age of 100
through the grace of God seems
no small miracle, too. Sis. Frieda
Gerber celebrated her centennial
birthday March 15. She is a
reminder that God is faithful thru
all the years He grants to us.
Illinois, Fairbury
Angela Herr, Janelle Stoller
“Continue in prayer, and watch
in the same with thanksgiving;”
Colossians 4:2
We extend our deepest
sympathy to Bro. Carl and
Sis. Becky Kieser in the loss
of his mother, Sis. Jean Kieser
(Bloomington, IL), on March 2. We
continue to lift them up in prayer.
Our thoughts and prayers have
also been with Bro. Norman and
Sis. Lollie Young in the death of
their sister-in-law, Donna Ifft, who
passed away on March 12.
We thank Bro. Curt Walter
(Mansfield, OH) for preaching
God’s Word to us this past month.
We lift each of our ministers up
in prayer and pray that God will
richly bless them for their labors.
Sis. Melanie Teubel (Bro. Ed),
Sis. Rosemary Hartman (Bro.
John), and Bro. Duane Kilgus (Sis.
Arlene) recently spent time in the
hospital and our prayers have been
with each one.
Bro. Bryan and Sis. Debbie
Steffen welcomed a little girl, Jesse
Chris, into their hearts and home
on March 20. Payton is her big
brother. Thankful grandparents
are Bro. Chris and Sis. Kay Steffen
and Elmer and Darlene Stork.
The weekend of August
29-30 we will be hosting a
commemoration in recognition
of 50 years since our church
building was erected and
dedicated. Anyone who previously
attended the Fairbury Apostolic
Christian Church is welcome to
attend. More details and RSVP
information are posted in the
News & Notices section in the
back of this issue.
Note of Thanks:
We would like to thank each
one who remembered us with
prayers, cards, food, memorial
donations, gifts, and other caring
support in the passing of our loved
one, William Fehr.
May God richly bless you!
Helen Fehr and family
Illinois, Forrest Karla Zimmerman
Molly Zimmerman
“For, lo, the winter is past, the rain
is over and gone; The flowers appear
on the earth; the time of the singing
of birds is come, and the voice of the
turtle is heard in our land.”
Song of Solomon 2:11-12
What a beautiful thing to
hear the chirping of birds as God
changes our season from winter
to spring.
We rejoice as another
change occurs as well in the
life of our Sis. Marie Ricketts.
She is engaged to Bro. Gary
Unsicker (Peoria, IL). It is such a
wonderful thing to see how God
works in drawing souls together.
We wish to extend our
appreciation to the visiting
ministers this past month: Bro.
Kevin Fehr (West Bent, IA), Bro.
Nathan Wiegand (Goodfield, IL),
Bro. David Hartter (Sabetha, KS),
Bro. Joe Gerst (Iowa City, IA), and
Bro. Dale Moore (Elgin, IA). May
God bless you for your willingness
to serve us.
We appreciated Bro. Gary
Maibach (Smithville, OH) being
willing to come and speak to
our Bible Class about his time in
Vietnam. Hearing the experiences
of others is such a wonderful
blessing and helps to teach and
encourage our young people.
Our prayers are with
Sis. Paulette and Bro. Kent
Zimmerman and family at the
passing of her father, Bro. Elmer
Schmidt (Winthrop, MN).
We pray for God’s comfort
and nearness for their family
during this time. We are also
saddened by the passing of our
Sis. Marlene Kupferschmid. Our
prayers are with her husband,
Bro. Orville, and her children:
Karen Therien, Kara Doubler,
and Kathy Cribbett.
We failed to mention earlier
that Sis. Jane (Bro. Gary)
Brown and Sis. Jan (Bro. Herb)
Bachtold both spent time in the
hospital a couple months ago,
Sis. Jane for a hip replacement
and Sis. Jan for a knee
replacement. We are thankful for
the Lord’s healing mercies.
We rejoice with Bro. Mike
and Sis. Marsha Lanz as they
welcomed little Mason Otto
into their lives! Excited siblings
are Marissa, Mikayla, Micah,
Mariah, and McKenna. Thankful
grandparents are Bro. Elmer Lanz
and Bro. Marvin and Sis. Mary
Bachtold. We are thankful also
for the safe arrival of Aleya Rose
Gudeman. Excited first-time
parents are Shannon and Brianna
Gudeman. Thankful grandparents
are Bro. Brad and Sis. Teresa
Gudeman (Bradford, IL) and
Doug and Beth Rinkenberger.
Illinois, Goodfield
Kayla Wiegand, Melissa Rokey
A precious son, Ryker Dean,
was born on March 17 to Bro.
Darrell and Sis. Jennifer Stoller.
His siblings are Mason, Kinley,
Miles, and Rigg. His grandparents
are Bro. Tom and Sis. Edie Stoller
(Eureka, IL) and Bro. Larry and
Sis. Lori Wiegand.
We were blessed to hear the
testimony of Sis. Kate Hinrichsen
(Bro. Rod and Sis. Lynda) on
February 21. We are glad to welcome
her into the family of Christ.
The Bible Class held a
fundraising dinner on February
28 to support the upcoming
mission trip to Kentucky at
the Galilean Children’s Home.
Thanks to all for the generous
support of this effort.
Our annual business
meeting was held March 4. Our
appreciation extends to those who
have concluded various duties with
in the church, and welcome those
who have been newly-elected.
New Sunday School teachers are
Bro. Luke Rocke (Sis. Jill), Bro.
Alex Knepp (Sis. Cassie), Bro.
Adam Rocke (Sis. Maribeth),
Bro. Jared Schieber (Sis. Angie),
Sis. Abby Bauman (Bro. Nate),
Sis. Kitty Herrmann (Bro. Ross),
and Sis. Christy Wiegand. The
newly-elected trustee is Bro.
Brian Rieke (Sis. Lisa). Bro. Ed
Wiegand (Joanne) will be serving
on the Eureka Home Board.
Bro. Keith and Sis. Dort Leman
will be serving on the Kitchen
Committee. We appreciate these
outgoing teachers, including Bro.
Royce Schieler (Sis. Sarah), Bro.
Sam Moser (Sis. Ruth), Bro. Chris
Schmidgall (Sis. Liz), Bro. Nate
Zeltwanger (Sis. Brittany), Sis. Teri
Hinrichsen, Sis. Heather Hohulin
(Bro. Ross), and Sis. Lynn Wiegand
(Bro. Doug). Outgoing trustee is
Bro. Mark Steffen (Sis. Joan), and
finishing his term on the Eureka
Home Board is Bro. Denny Blunier
(Sis. Eddis). Bro. Jake and Sis.
Mary Wettstein have finished their
service on the Kitchen Committee.
A bridal shower was held
March 14 for several couples
in our congregation who are
preparing for their weddings. They
include Bro. Jesse Ruegsegger and
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SILVER LINING
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Sis. Tiffany Hinrichsen, Justin
Fehr and Bonnie Martin, Bro.
Fritz Hinrichsen and Sis. Amy
Folkerts, and Luke Lowery and
Rachel Schmidgall.
“Saviour, lead me, till at last,
When the storm of life is past, I
shall reach the land of day, Where
all tears are wip’ d away…”
Gospel Hymns #477
We extend love and sympathy
to the family of our Bro. Ben
Tanner who passed away on
February 24. His children are
Lynn (Milt) Hinnen, Judy (Mike)
Sauder, Carol (Bob) Radtke, Bro.
Ben (Sis. Mary), Joe (Pam), Mike
(Cheryl), Jim (Elaine, and Mark
(Diana) Tanner.
We also offer our condolences
to Sis. Carolyn Knapp (Bro. Josh)
at the passing of her grandmother,
Sis. Jean Kieser (Bloomington, IL)
on March 2.
The visiting ministers who
have been with our congregation
this month included Bro. Brian
Huber (Sis. Jacki, Francesville,
IN), Bro. Keith Hinrichsen, (Sis.
Tammy, Phoenix, AZ), and Bro.
Rick Kaisner, (Sis. Michelle,
Chicago, IL). We always wish
to express appreciation for these
efforts shown to us.
Illinois, Gridley
Perry Klopfenstein
We were blessed by our
Communion service held on
Wednesday evening, February 25.
Elder Bro. Tim Funk, Peoria, was
here to help with the occasion.
It was a blessed evening, indeed.
The solemnity of remembering the
22
dying and shedding of blood by
the Lord Jesus is impressive.
We heard the reading of
the annual Memorandum on
Wednesday evening, March 4.
Elder Bro. Mark Streitmatter,
Bloomington, assisted our Elder
Bro. Earl Ringger in bringing the
conference report.
Bro. Jon and Sis. Ashley
Baner suffered the loss of the
home and possessions in a house
fire. Through His people, God
has offered much support for this
couple and their three children.
Sis. Mary Ringger is
suffering from liver cancer and
is taking treatments. Sis. Kay
Hock is recovering from a knee
replacement. Sis. Barb Kiefer had
arm surgery. Bro. Orlan Miller has
had a recurrence and will begin
chemo treatments. Henry Finck
was in the hospital being treated
for pneumonia. Our prayers surely
are for the sick — and if it’s His
will, may God heal them.
A daughter, Addison Joy,
was born on February 16 to
Bro. Jonny and Sis. Shelbi
Wellwood. She is their first child.
Grandparents are Bro. Ryan and
Sis. Lori Steidinger, Fairbury,
and Jim and Jackie Wellwood,
Gridley. May God be their guide
as they train up this child in the
ways of the Lord Jesus.
Sis. Jenae Lavallier was
announced to be married to Bro.
Scott Herrmann of Princeville.
She is the daughter of Bro. Jim
and Sis. Jeanette Lavallier, Gridley.
His parents are Bro. Dean and Sis.
Dawn Herrmann, Princeville. We
wish them in God’s blessings in
the future. Lord willing, a June 28
wedding is planned.
Bro. Matthew Zehr was
married to Sis. Elisa Kaeb,
Fairbury on February 22. Her
parents are Will and Juanita Kaeb,
Arrowsmith. He is the son of
ministering Bro. Dave and Sis.
Vicki Zehr, Gridley. May God
lead this couple, both now and in
the years ahead.
Several fathers of our Gridley
members have passed away. John
Vercler, father of Bro. Tim (Sis.
Sonia) Vercler; Robert Hock,
father of Bro. Bob (Sis. Kay)
Hock; and Larry Hill, father of
Bro. John (Sis. Marissa) Hill.
Surely, we offer our sympathies to
these brothers and their families in
the loss of their loved ones.
Illinois, Morton
Annette Tanner, Julie Bahr
Morton was blessed to have
ministering Brother James Fehr
(Sis. Brenda, Tremont) give our
Family Worship topic, “The Great
Escapes in the Bible - Peter.” One
of the Great Escapes was Peter’s
escape from jail that was made
possible only by the power of God!
We also want to thank Bro. Greg
Rassi (Sis. Carla, Chicago) for
being willing to share the Gospel.
The Mortonaires were invited to
Elgin, IL to give a blessing in song
and the group also received a huge
blessing from fellowship with
the Elgin and Chicago churches.
Praise to the Father for this little
taste of His Glory!
Our deep love and sympathy
is extended to the family of Bro.
Martin Hohulin (Sis. Edith,
Lamar). Bro. Martin was a
brother-in-law to our Bro. Lester
Kaiser (Sis. Irene) and also to our
Sis. Laverne Kaiser.
Our sympathy is also shared
with our Bro. Joe and Sis. Barb
Zimmerman in the loss of their
nephew, Rodney Klein. Surviving
are his mother, Linda, and
siblings, Lonnie and Lisa. Happy 100th birthday to
twin brothers, Bro. Ken Stevig
and Bro. Keith Stevig born on
March 6, 1915! Statistics say that
the probability of twins reaching
their 100th birthday is 1 in
700,000,000. In an interview they
described their 100 years in one
word, “short.” “People think 100
years is a long time, but short is
what it really is.” Their description
can only be in accordance with
the Scripture which tells us that
“life …. It is even a vapour.” They
remember riding to church in
a horse and buggy. Bro. Keith
went to high school and college
and then married Sis. Alice and
they had a son, Larry. Bro. Ken
went to war and never married.
Let God be Praised for His
marvelous Grace afforded to our
Morton brothers in faith.
Illinois, Peoria
Pam Fritzenmeier
We wish to offer our belated
but heartfelt congratulations and
God’s blessings to Jenna Rieker
and Chris Oedewaldt who were
united in holy marriage October
25, 2014. Parents are Bro. Jim and
Sis. Jane Rieker and Richard and
Brenda Oedewaldt, Tremont.
February 22, we heard the
engagement announcements of
two couples: Sis. Jessica Waibel
(Bro. Mike and Sis. Rose) to Bro.
Austin Knobloch (Bro. Keith
and Sis. Lisa, Princeville), and
Bro. Gary Unsicker to Sis. Marie
Ricketts (Bro. Ken and Sis. Janice
Steffen, Forrest).
“For our heart shall rejoice in
him, because we have trusted in his
holy name.” Psalms 33:21
Our prayers and sympathy
are extended to the family of
John Baurer who passed away
February 24.
Bro. Earl Ringger (Sis. Dixie,
Gridley) assisted in the reading of
the Memorandum March 1. The
monthly hymn sing was held at
the fellowship hall that evening.
Our second through eighth grade
Sunday school students and a men’s
group from Washington sang with
and for us. It was a blessed day.
We rejoice in the birth of a
baby girl! Aleah Marie was born
March 12 to Bro. Ben and Sis.
Heidi Hartter. She has three
brothers: Kyler, Isaiah, and
Hudson, and one sister, Macy.
Her grandparents are Bro. Bob
and Sis. Chris Hartter, Roanoke,
and the late Bro. George and Sis.
Ruth Huthmann.
Please remember in prayer
those dealing with health issues:
Bro. Mike Wiegand, Sis. Karen
Dunbar, Sis. Nanette David, Bro.
Harry (Sis. Loretta) Eisenmann,
Mary Funk, Rosalie (Bruce)
Johnson, Sis. Dee Metzger, Sis.
Linda Miller, Mary See, Andrea
(Aaron) Staley, Sis. Maria Graham,
and Bro. Jeff (Sis. Melissa) Waibel.
Those from our church
serving at CVE in Magdalena,
MX, also desire our prayers: Bro.
Jonathan and Sis. Bere Aupperle,
Bro. Zach and Sis. Daniela
Knobloch, and Bro. Jason Grassi.
Also keep Sis. Daniela’s brother,
Fede, in your prayers.
Illinois, Princeville
Gloria White, Renee Herrmann
We sincerely appreciate and
thank the brothers who ministered
to us this month including Bro.
Craig Stickling (Peoria, IL), Bro.
Jeff Wiegand (Goodfield, IL), Bro.
Ron Bollier (Indianapolis, IN) and
Bro. Gregg Rumbold (Peoria, IL).
We wish God’s blessings for
Bro. Austin Knobloch and Sis.
Jessica Waibel at the announcement
of their engagement. Bro. Keith
and Sis. Lisa Knobloch and Bro.
Mike and Sis. Rose Waibel (Peoria,
IL) are the parents.
Bro. Scott Herrmann and Sis.
Jenae Lavallier have made known
their plans to be married also. Bro.
Dean and Sis. Dawn Herrmann
and Bro. Jim and Sis. Jeanette
Lavallier (Gridley, IL) are their
parents. We pray God’s love and
guidance for these couples as they
prepare for their weddings.
Bro. David and Sis. Crystal
Streitmatter are thankful for
another grandchild. Taya Beth
was born to Bro. Kory and Sis.
Brooke Wagenbach of OakvilleMediapolis, IA.
We extend our sympathy to
April 2015
SILVER LINING
23
Bro. Art (Sis. Joy) Baurer and Bro.
Ed (Sis. Carol) Baurer as they bid
farewell to their brother, John
Baurer of Peoria, IL.
Illinois, Roanoke
Barb Schwind, Judy Sauder
1 Corinthians 15:57 “O death,
where is thy sting? O grave, where is
thy victory? The sting of death is sin
and the strength of sin is the law. But
thanks be to God, which giveth us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
As Christians, we can
approach the Easter season with
unspeakable joy!
The birth of seven precious
babies brings joy to our hearts.
Bro. Matt, Sis. Melissa, Sophia,
Lucy, and Amelia Kaufman
welcomed Sawyer Jude on March
9. Grandparents are Bro. Ben
and Sis Janet Leman and Warren
and Sara Kaufman of Eureka and
Lynn Kaufman of Normal. Baby
Sawyer was born prematurely. We
pray for his health and strength. On March 14, Hattie Marie
was born to Bro. Sam and Sis.
Emily Wettstein. Hattie’s brothers
are Will and Jack. Grandparents
are Bro. Gary and Sis. Elna
Wettstein, and Bro. Scott and Sis.
Elaine Frank of Eureka. Our church family welcomes
new grandchildren. Bro. Dan and
Sis. Kim Maher are grandparents
to Drew Matthew born on
February 18 to Bro. Cody and Sis.
Maggie Maher (Bloomington).
Bro. Kevin and Sis. Annette
Fischer welcomed Ryan Jacob,
Born February 20 to Jake and
Selina Fischer of Normal. 24
Sis. Jane Hilton is
grandmother to Alayna Jane, born
February 25 to Jeremy and Amber
Hilton of Roanoke. Bro. Bob and Sis. Chris
Hartter have a new little
granddaughter, Aleah Marie, born
to Bro. Ben and Sis. Heidi Hartter
(Peoria) on March 12. Bro. Sam and Sis. Jane Martin
welcomed Zander Phillip born
to Trevor and Erin Martin of
Washington, IA on March 15. We
wish each of these sweet little ones
and their families God’s blessings. We rejoice with Jason Bradle
and Emma Springer, who were
married on February 21. Parents are
Bro. John and Sis. Jill Bradle and
Scott and Trish Springer of Benson. Steven Hinrichsen of Peoria,
son of Bro. Mark and Sis. Sue, is
engaged to be married to Jessie
Pilcher of Peoria, daughter of
Andy and Staci Pilcher of Morton.
May the Lord bless the marriages
of these young couples. Our prayers are with Les
(Susan) Wettstein in the passing of
his sister, Sis. Lulu Zimmerman of
Congerville, on March 15.
Shellie and Amy Rients (Don
and Theresa) have begun their
walks with the Lord. It is such
a joy and encouragement to see
those who are surrendering their
hearts to Jesus!
We pray for Bro. Denny (Sis.
Rita) Schwind, Bro. Calvin (Sis.
Jan) Moser, Sawyer (Bro. Matt
and Sis. Melissa) Kaufman, and
Sis. Donna (Bro. Dan) Schwind,
who are dealing with health issues. Bro. Daniel and Sis. Larissa
Stoller and Taelyn have welcomed
Yezme, a foster daughter, into their
home. Bro. Daniel shared that 4
weeks ago Yezme had never heard
of Jesus, but now she is so thrilled
to be singing songs about Jesus for
the Easter program. On February 22, many from
our church enjoyed the Family
Sing at Congerville with Eureka
and Goodfield churches. We
thank Hearts of Praise, a trio from
Morton for singing at our Family
Sing on March 1.
We thank our high school
students for serving us on March
7 at the Bible Class Spaghetti
Supper. We also appreciate all
those who helped with church and
fellowship hall cleaning March 9. On March 14, a World Relief
informational meeting and supper
was held at our fellowship hall.
Adline Cameus gave her testimony
of what a blessing it was for her
to be a World Relief sponsored
child. She had never been told she
was loved until her sponsor told
her in each letter that they loved
her. Because of sponsorship, she
was able to go to school to learn
to read, and thus learn about Jesus
from reading the Bible. Adline
currently is the Director of Help a
Child in Haiti. Other World Relief
representatives conducted sessions
on World Relief outreaches in the
Caribbean, Mexico, the USA, and
in regard to international grants. It
was an informative and inspiring
afternoon and evening. Our children presented their
Scripture memory program on
March 18. It is wonderful to see
our children learning God’s Word.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do
all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.” I was having
a tough week at school. Some
of the students in my special ed.
resource room were having some
significant behavior problems due
to issues outside of my control,
and to top it all off, this was the
class that was going to be observed
at the end of the week for a
significant part of my evaluation.
I was stressed. Wednesday night
a sister from our church dropped
off a beautiful framed photograph
at our house, which contained
the words of Philippians 4:13,
for a St. Jude fundraiser. Thank
You, Lord! Sometimes I need
a reminder that though we feel
weak, You are strong, and we can
do all things through Christ, who
gives us strength! My son learned
the Phil. 4:13 song in Scripture
Memory when he was young and
that song was on my heart and lips
throughout the rest of the week.
My heart was more peaceful, the
Lord provided, and the observation
went well. My problem was small
compared to what many are
facing - biopsies, cancer, chronic
or unsolved health problems, a
new baby born many weeks early,
serious concerns about children, or
job loss. It is good to know in all
problems of life — great and small
— that God is in control and we
can do all things through Christ,
who give us strength. Note of Thanks:
My sincere thanks to everyone
for your prayers and thoughtfulness
following my recent fall and
recovery. Sis. Pearl Leman
Illinois, Tremont
Teresa Rowell, Janice Sauder
Through the reading and
meditation on the Word, our
visiting ministers spoke to our
hearts. May God bless Bros.
Barry Dietz (Bradford), Tim
Hohulin (Roanoke, IL), Ken
Eisenmann (Cissna Park, IL),
Nate Wiegand (Goodfield, IL),
and Greg Rassi (Chicago, IL) for
their ministering to us.
Elder Bro. Trent Meiss
(Eureka, IL) came one recent
Wednesday evening to help with
the reading of the Memorandum.
Thank you again to our elder
brothers for their willingness to
spend so much effort in service to
the churches. May we heed their
teachings for our benefit.
Sierra Beth was born into the
family of Bro. Troy and Sis. Anne
Stuber. Matthew, Alex, Savannah
and Aaron welcome her home;
along with grandparents Bro.
Todd and Sis. Beth Stuber and
Bro. Roger and Sis. JoAnn Beutel.
God bless this precious little one.
We are mindful of our loved
ones who have had ill health or
surgeries: Sis. Glenna Sauder (Bro.
Earl), Sis. Doris Baer (Bro. Bob),
Sis. Lauretta Schafer (Bro. Bruce),
and Sis. Wilma Pulfer (Bro.
Leslie). We pray that God provides
healing for each one.
“Jesus said unto her, I am the
resurrection, and the life: he
that believeth in me, though he
were dead, yet shall he live: And
whosoever liveth and believeth in me
shall never die. Believest thou this?”
John 11:25&26
This verse is part of the comfort
for the family of Sis. Lydia Rassi
(the late Bro. Arnold) who sorrow
at her death. Our sympathy extends
to her children: Sis. Kathy Schlatter
(Bro. Jim) of Clarendon Hills, IL;
Bro. Curt (Sis. Kathy) of Tremont;
and Bro. Dennis (Sis. Diane) of
Bastrop, TX and their families.
Her surviving siblings in Tremont
include: Sis. Elizabeth Sauder,
Clifford Schweigert, and sister-inlaw, Della Schweigert. We also pray
for Sis. Wilma Pulfer (Bro. Les) at
the passing of her sister, Sis. Lula
Zimmerman of Congerville, IL.
Illinois, Washington
Marlene Prather, Jodi Fehr
As we begin a new season,
with the trees and flowers
budding, and giving us hope…
we rejoice with Bro. Merle Blunier
(Eureka) and Sis. Michelle Phillips
and children, as they shared their
wedding announcement. We are
thankful for them as they plan for
their upcoming wedding. Their
parents are Bro. Ed Fritz (the late
Sis. Sally), and Bro. Roger and Sis.
Wendy Blunier (Eureka). Our Bro.
Josh Pfaffmann and Sis. Amber
Fritz announced their engagement.
We rejoice with this young couple
and their parents, Bro. Phil and
Sis. Jessica Fritz and Bro. Robert
and Sis. Lilly Pfaffmann, as they
continue to make wedding plans.
We were blessed to have
several ministers visit this month.
Elder Bro. Brad Eisenmann (Sis.
April 2015
SILVER LINING
25
Cindy, Chicago, IL) came to assist
Bro. Ron with the Memorandum.
Bro. Frank Sauder (Sis. Kathy,
Roanoke, IL) came for our
monthly Bible Study. Bro. Brad
Gudeman (Sis. Teresa, Bradford,
IL) and Bro. John Lehman (Sis.
Tamara, Wolcott, IN) also shared
the Word. Thank you once again
for your efforts.
Our young group hosted a
babysitting and dinner evening,
so that our young couples could
enjoy a night out. May God bless
each of them.
On February 28, our Bible
Class hosted a mission trip fund
raiser. Thank you to all, who
helped, donated and gave of their
time. Our young people will truly
benefit from this.
We also were blessed on
March 14, to be a part of the
A. C. Nursing Home Benefit
Auction. It was a busy day for each
of us, and very rewarding.
Our congregation was
saddened to hear of the passing
of our dear Sis. Betty Klaus.
She leaves behind Sis. Faith and
Sis. Melody of Washington;
Sis. Grace of Tokyo, Japan;
Andrew (Janna) of Tokyo, Japan;
Hope of Takehide, Utah; Joy
of Washington, IL, Bro. Mark
(Rebecca) of Athens, AL; Timothy
(Susan) of Corpus Christy, TX;
Daniel (Rebecca) of Seymour, IN
and seventeen grandchildren. May
God keep this family in His care.
Note of thanks:
I am very grateful for the
many remembrances and cards
received on my 90th birthday!
26
It is humbling and I feel a deep
gratefulness to our God.
Love in Christ, Bro. Carl Wyss
Indiana, Bluffton
Suzie Fiechter, Kim Meyer
As spring brings again the
hope and promise of new life, we
were renewed in our walk with
Christ as we partook of Holy
Communion. As the nutrients of
the bread nourished each cell of
our physical bodies, we prayed
that His Spirit would fill each part
of us. As we shared the wine, we
prayed that His life would flow
in and through us. Thank you –
thank you Jesus!!!
We thank our dear Elder
Bros. Jeff (Sis. Ruth) Grimm
of Goodfield, John (Sis. Peggy)
Jackson of Bay City, Steve (Sis.
Myra) of Bluffton North, and
Lynn (Sis. Ronda) for serving us
on that special evening.
Our prayers have been with
our loved ones who are struggling
with health concerns: Sis. Evie
(Bro. Bob - dec.) Gerber, Bro.
Harold (Sis. Violet) Meyer, Bro.
Sylven Gerber, Bro. Les (Sis. Sally)
Schwartz, Bro. Keith (Sis. Ruth)
Baumgartner, Bro. Doug (Sis.
Susan) Dailey and Bro. Steve (Sis.
Renee) Reinhard. May God give
them peace even in the middle of
the storms of life.
Ruth Reinhard passed into
eternity. We extend our loving
sympathy to her husband,
Bro. Jim, and her children,
Bro. Ed Reinhard, Polly (Phil)
Beer, LuAnn Reinhard, Herb
(Martha) Reinhard, and Tom
(Sandy) Reinhard.
Our Sis. Lucille Grandlienard
is now resting in the arms of Jesus.
Her children are Fern (Ron – dec.)
Kaehr, Jim (Marcia) Kaehr, Sis.
Rita (Bro. Dick) Everett, Bro.
Keith (Sis. LuAnn) Kaehr, Karen
(Bill - dec.) Kipfer and Elaine
(James) Lawson.
We weep with Bro. Mark, Sis.
Stacy and Wade Maller as they
said goodby to little Case Bradley
when he was born and given into
Jesus’ arms. Grandparents, Bro.
Brad and Sis. Dahlys Troxel and
Bro. Bob and Sis. Kim Maller,
grieve the loss of their grandbaby.
We pray for the Spirit’s
comfort and the Father’s love to
surround the family of Dawn
Schwalbach, who was called
Home on March 4. She is the
mother of our Sis. Tara (Bro.
Bart) Frauhiger and Bro. Matt
Schwalbach. She leaves her
husband, Jim, and 10 children, 7
of whom are still at home.
We are not asked to
understand, but to acknowledge
the sovereignty of God and trust
His faithfulness and goodness.
Bro. Bob (Sis. Nova - dec.)
Steffen and his granddaughter,
Jennifer, experienced a house fire.
We are so thankful that God
spared their lives and pray they
will feel His guidance!
Bro. Chase and Sis. Lindsay
Fiechter, along with grandpa Dave
Fiechter, rejoice with the birth of
their firstborn, Owen David.
Eli Andrew Harris has
blessed the home of Bro. Andrew,
Sis. Katy and Lillian. Happy
grandparents are Bro. Mark and
Sis. Susan Harris and Bro. Gene
and Sis. Joni Longenberger.
Bro. Justin, Sis. Sarah and
Natalie Dubach are praising
God for the gift of little Kenneth
Michael. His grandparents are
Bro. Ken Dubach and Bro.
Nathan and Sis. LeAnn Gerber.
The Lord has placed sweet,
little Vera Mae Neuenschwander
in the home of Bro. Adam and
Sis. Ashley. Vera’s grandparents
are Bro. Dee and Sis. Laura
Neuenschwander and Bro. Kim
and Sis. Lisa Troxel.
Bro. Jim and Sis. Jenny
Fiechter are thankful
grandparents of Axel Grey
Steffen, born to Bro. Ryan,
Sis. Jamy and Leo, of Bluffton
North. Bro. Keith and Sis.
Kay Steffen are Axel’s paternal
grandparents.
Our loving Father has directed
two souls to be joined together in
His service. Our family is humbled
and thankful that our daughter,
Sis. Brooke (Bro. Don and Sis.
Suzie) Fiechter is engaged to Bro.
Doug (Bro. Doug and Sis. Lanna)
Harmon of Toledo. May He be
glorified in and through their lives!
God has also brought together
Bro. Glen (Sis. Eileen- dec.) Furrer
and Sis. Judy (Bro. Don – dec.)
Isch. We pray they will find much
joy and companionship as they
blend their lives and families.
Faith marriages are such a
beautiful strength to our church
family! As we see God work in
the lives of couples, our own faith
grows stronger. As we trust Him
with the big things of our lives,
He shows His power over and over
again. Often, the world presses
in to conform us to its ways, but
may we always cling to the ways
of God as directed by Him and
proven through our forefathers.
After seeking the Lord’s
direction, our church family has
asked Bro. Kole and Sis. Amy
Meyer to join our pulpit ministry.
We trust God’s provision in the
lives of their family, which includes
Jackson (6), Avery (4), and Evelyn
(2). May He bless and guide them
as they serve in this new capacity!
Recently, our Elder Bro. Lynn
gave us a beautiful picture of
unity. As we sang the Hymns of
Zion song 106, Take My Life and
Let it Be, he asked the sopranos
to sing the first verse, the altos
to join on the second, then the
tenors on the third and the bass
on the fourth. He pointed out that
the sopranos could have carried
the whole song alone, but there
was much beauty as we all came
together. So it is with our lives.
God’s glory shines forth as we come
together to work, praise, and serve!
“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
Take my hands, and let them
move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee;
Take my voice, and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my silver and my gold, not a
mite would I withhold;
Take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my will and make it Thine,
it shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own, it
shall be Thy royal throne.”
Hymns of Zion, #106
Indiana, Bluffton North
Corinne Stettner, Amy Moser
In the Garden of Eden, the first
Adam said, “My will be done”.
In the Garden of
Gethsemane, the last Adam said,
“Thy will be done”.
Bro. Dan (Sis. Lora) Kieser’s
mother, Sis. Jean Kieser of
Bloomington, IL, passed away on
March 2.. While her passing is a
blessing, she will be missed greatly.
Our Bro. Rod (Sis. Rosemary)
Mounsey also lost his mother, Pat,
on March 8. Please keep both of
these families in your prayers.
Sis. Kathy (Bro. Steve)
Longenberger underwent surgery
on her shoulder on March 4. Sis.
Coleen Culp also had back surgery
on March 10. We pray for God’s
healing and a full recovery for
both of these dear sisters.
For six weeks, our 2nd-12th
grade Sunday School classes
have been working very hard
to memorize a verse per week.
On March 15, they gave a
short presentation of their work
and sang several songs for the
congregation. What a blessing!
Indiana, Francesville
Jacki Huber, Mildred Clauss
“Blessed is he that readeth, and
they that hear the words of this
prophecy, and keep those things
which are written therein: for the
time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3.
April 2015
SILVER LINING
27
On seven Wednesday evenings,
our ministers are each leading in
a study of chapters in Revelation.
When we are finished, all of the
chapters will have been covered.
Even though we do not have a full
understanding, it is good to be
reminded of the things that will
happen, and to be encouraged to
walk closely with our Lord!
Sister Priscilla Anliker (the late
Bro. Eli) has finished her earthly
race, and is in the loving presence
of Jesus. We rejoice for her, but
will miss her cheerful presence
when we visit Parkview Haven,
where she resided. Her children
are Ron (Vicky) of Wheatfield,
IN; Marilyn Albrecht (Roger) of
Lafayette, IN; Bro. Wendell (Sis.
Karel) of Francesville, IN; and
Sis. Elaine Bahler of Wolcott, IN.
We extend our sympathy to Sis.
Priscilla’s family, and also to Sis.
Janice Gutwein (Bro. Jerry), in
the passing of her dear Dad, Bro.
Elmer Schmidt (Sis. Hazel) of
Winthrop, MN.
As we say goodbye to some
of our loved ones, we welcome
a precious new baby into our
presence. We rejoice with Bro.
Phil, Sis. Stephanie, Jordan and
Seth Huber as they welcome
Eden Grace into their home.
Eden was born February 26. Her
grandparents are Bro. Wally and
Donna Gerst of Grand Rapids
(Alto), MI, and Bro. Brian and Sis.
Jacki Huber.
Recently we enjoyed fellowship
with many friends from various
places for an “Invite-a Friend”
Sunday. Among those visiting was
28
Elder Bro. Wayne Banwart (Sis.
Charlen, Champaign, IL), who
shared the Word with us. Bro.
Rustin Meister (Sis. Amanda,
West Lafayette, IN) also visited
recently. We are thankful for
all who expound upon God’s
Word, and ask that the Lord will
continue to work through them by
His Holy Spirit.
We are so thankful that the
Lord has given peace of heart
and mind to Brandon and David
Putt (sons of Bro. Mike and Sis.
Donna Putt). We look forward to
their baptisms in the near future,
Lord willing.
Indiana, Indianapolis
Gail Bradford, Sandy Lichtle
The Sunday school students
and parents hosted a chili supper
and silent auction on February
22 to support their mission trip
planned for June to Magdalena,
Mexico. We appreciate their labors
of love and the prayers that were
extended to help make this a
blessed evening.
We will miss Bro. Andreas
Schlatter as he has accepted a new
job in Milford, IN. Our prayers
are with him as he begins a new
chapter in life.
Indiana, Lacrosse
Meagan Frank, Julie Rocke
My children have been
listening to a song whose lyrics
seem to describe the week we
have just enjoyed: “The birds
upon the treetops sing their song;
the angels chant their chorus all
day long; the flowers in the garden
blend their hue; so why shouldn’t
I, why shouldn’t you, praise Him
too?” The warmer temperatures,
shrinking snow piles, and sweet
bird songs lift our spirits in
praise to the Creator. Flower
bulbs that have lain dormant all
winter now begin to sprout their
way through the dirt; a sweet,
simple reminder of our Savior’s
triumphant resurrection.
Another of God’s beautiful
gifts is our families. In a fallen
world it is a daily challenge to
protect our families from the
enemy. Bro. Arlan Miller from
Apostolic Christian Counseling
and Family Services presented us
with the topic “Safe Technology
Use for the Family”. We enjoyed
gathering for a chili supper before
hearing how to better protect our
children, as well as ourselves, from
the dangers of technology, while
also learning to be good examples
and educate our families on how
to use this tool as a blessing. We
heartily thank Bro. Arlan and his
dear family for their efforts in
serving us!
Our annual Fellowship
Weekend was again a rich blessing
as we enjoyed greeting old and
new friends at a supper and singing
Saturday night. On Sunday, we
appreciated the ministering efforts
of Bro. Dean Messner (Sis. Wanda,
Winthrop, MN) and Bro. Matt
Feucht (Sis. Jennifer, Roanoke,
IL). It is so wonderful to see the
benches full and hear the rafters
ring with the many voices. What a
glorious eternity of fellowship with
our Lord and our brethren awaits
us in heaven!
with permission). “Sis. Holly Kline
was involved in a car accident on
Indiana, Leo
Saturday afternoon. She was hit by
Kirby Reutter
a snowplow (who ran a stop sign)
“Now then we are ambassadors for on the way to work. It is a miracle
Christ!” 2 Corinthians 5:20
that she is alive! She injured her
This could have been a
elbow and hip, and it will take
long article. First, 62 different
a while for her to heal. Please be
Gateway Woods Representatives
prayerful for Sis. Holly and Bro.
made their annual pilgrimage
Joey and the kids.”
from the following locations:
Then we received this update
Akron, Bay City, Bloomington,
regarding the first ambassador.
Bluffton, Bradford, Champaign,
“Sis. Sharlin Wieland will be
Cissna Park, Congerville, Elgin,
having surgery to remove her
Eureka, Fairbury, Forrest,
thyroid due to a malignant tumor.
Gridley, Junction, Lacrosse, Latty, Please be prayerful for Sharlin
Mansfield, Milford, Morton,
and her family – especially early
Peoria, Princeville, Remington,
Tuesday morning for the surgery.
Sabetha, Sardis, South Bend,
Thank you for being a praying and
Taylor, Toledo, Valparaiso,
caring church!”
Washington, West Lafayette,
and Wolcott. Fortunately, I
regarding the second ambassador.
decided against interviewing all “In the midst of healing from her
62 representatives.
terrible car accident, Sis. Holly
However, two ambassadors for Kline has been diagnosed with
the Kingdom were on a different
thyroid cancer. Please continue to
journey this month. Consider the
pray for Bro. Joey and Sis. Holly
following prayer request (reprinted as they face this new challenge.
with permission) from Sis. Sharlin Thank you for being a praying and
Wieland. “I was diagnosed with
caring church!”
thyroid cancer on January 9.
I have experienced the Lord’s
regarding the first ambassador.
comfort about it very clearly, for
“Sis. Sharlin Wieland’s surgery
which I am very grateful. We
went well. Her parathyroid glands
would appreciate any prayers on
were affected and so they kept
our behalf. I am very thankful
her an extra night at the hospital,
for all of you and for the fact that
and they continue to monitor her
I can turn to you for support in
calcium levels. Her pain has been
hard times. It would mean a lot
minimal, but she is dealing with
to me if you have specific requests some unusual symptoms. They
that I could pray for you as well.”
request your continued prayers,
and thank you for the support
regarding another ambassador
they have received so far.”
for the Kingdom (also reprinted
from the second ambassador. “As
I reflect back on these last three
weeks, I would like to just say
‘thank you’ to all those that have
helped with kids, with meals, and
with prayers. I don’t know how I
would make it without all of you.
Continue to pray for Joe, that he
may have patience in love as he
takes care of me and the kids. The
days get long sometimes, and the
nights are even longer, so that’s
when Satan wants to come and
the pain gets worse, but I’m so
thankful that God spared my life
from a terrible accident, and that I
can just continue to grow stronger
in His grace and love. I don’t
usually post much but I thought
I would just remind us all that
life can change in a blink of an
eye, and to not take it for granted.
Enjoy each moment with those
you love, and tell them you love
them every chance you get!”
And just today, we received
yet another update from the first
ambassador. “We want to thank
you — our church family — for
your love and support this winter.
It was a huge comfort to know
you were praying. Thanks for
reaching out to us with meals,
offers of help, words, and silent
understanding. We have felt lifted
up and are so grateful for God’s
love and care, shown in part by
you. He has faithfully carried us
through to this point, and we trust
Him to do so in the future.”
Finally, someone recently sent
a bag of mints to the Gateway
office, with the following note
attached. “Commit-MINT.
April 2015
SILVER LINING
29
Involve-MINT. EncourageMINT.” This month we were so
blessed by the “mints” offered
by each Gateway representative.
In addition, I was personally
humbled (and instructed) by the
“mints” offered by Sis. Sharlin
and Sis. Holly. When the Lord
returns, will He find the rest of us
in “mint” condition?
Indiana, Milford
Minnie Beer, Jodi Beer
We were blessed with several
visiting ministers recently. Bro.
Chris Laukhuf (Sis. Rachel,
Latty) visited on a Sunday. We
pray that God will bless him and
his family. Our Elder Bro. Bill
Schlatter (Sis. Emily, Junction,
OH) visited on a Wednesday
evening to give us a report on the
Winter Conference. Bro. Brian
Huber (Sis. Jacki, Francesville)
gave a topical Bible Study on
Jonah on a Wednesday evening.
We appreciate the time he took to
come and give us good teachings
that we can learn from Jonah’s
life. Elder Bro. John Laukhuf (Sis.
Marcia, Latty) assisted Bro. Bill in
serving Communion on a Sunday
evening. We truly appreciate each
one. May God bless them for their
willingness to serve our church.
We shared an evening of
fellowship at our annual Silver
Thimble Club auction. God bless
each one for their service and gifts.
Our thoughts and prayers have
been with Ted Brooks and Sis. Carol
Hurd (Bro. John) as they have both
spent time in the hospital.
Our love and sympathy to
30
Sis. Karen Pamer (Bro. Matthew)
in the passing of her father,
Herbert Conley. May each one
feel God’s nearness.
Indiana, Remington
Jenni Honegger, Marcella Tyler
We are thankful to have had
Bro. Brian Waibel (Sis. Wendy)
from Champaign, IL share the
Word with us this past month. It
is a blessing to us when extended
families come visiting.
Our thoughts and prayers go
out to Bro. Dan Reinhard (Sis.
Delores) in the passing of his
sister-in-law, Ruth (Bro. Jim) from
Bluffton, IN.
Our Cheer Circle Auction was
again well-attended as we gathered
around all the fruits of the labors
of love that went in to all the
articles and food that were made
to be auctioned off. Our Cheer
Circle ladies give to those in need
in so many ways. It is a blessing to
know that someone out there in
our community is benefiting from
our labors of love.
Note of Thanks:
I would like to express a
heartfelt Thank You for each
and every one who remembered
me in so many ways throughout
my surgery, therapy and still
recovering. Your expressions of
love and kindness have been so
appreciative. May God bless as
only He can do. Thank you again,
Sis. Diane Isabell (Bro. Phil)
Indiana, South Bend
Joshua Martinez
“We took sweet counsel together,
and walked unto the house of God
in company.” Psalm 55:14
We are thankful to have Bro.
Bob and Sis. Sue Beebe safely
back from a recent mission trip to
Haiti. We appreciate the greetings
of the brethren serving at Hospital
Lumiere. We also thank Bro. Fred
Domka (Sis. Connie, Mansfield,
OH) and Bro. Steve Stieglitz (Sis.
Jane, Leo, IN) for sharing the
Good News with us this month.
“For where two or three are
gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20
Indiana, West Lafayette
Kris Widmer, Libby Wahl
We appreciate all the labors of
love from our past elected officers
and encourage those who were
supported at our recent Business
Meeting. We are so blessed to
have the zeal of our Purdue
Young Group as they volunteered
their time to watch the children
duing the meeting. It was also a
blessing to fellowship with those
that came to support the PYG
Fundraiser and the youth that
gathered with us for the semiannual Purdue Hymn Sing.
Thanksgiving to our
Bros.Tim Bucher (Sis. Julie,
Valparaiso) and Calvin Schneider
(Sis. Jeannie, LaCrosse), as they
taught us from the Word at our
mid-week services.
Our church family was
sad to hear that little Moriah
Meister, daughter of Bro.
Rustin and Sis. Amanda, had
to endure another fracture
resulting in yet another cast! Our PYG students have
returned from their mission trip
to Sunset Gap, TN. We were
able to share life/work team with
our children, Bro. Blake and Sis.
Tashi Widmer, Kingston, Jamaica,
and Sis. Erin Davis (Goodfield),
Knockpatrich, Jamaica. Mission
trips allow us the renewed
opportunity to see how broken
we all are and the need for HIS
mercy and grace, new every
morning! Brighten the corner
where you are! Iowa, Bloomfield
Teresa Schock
We have had many visiting
ministers this past mouth and
are thankful for each one. Bros.
Tom Lanz (Sis. Mary, Oakville/
Mediapolis) and Seth Hartter
(Sis. Brenda, Burlington) were
here March 1. On March 8, Bros.
Wes Moser (Sis. Esther, Lester)
and Bill Wettstein (Sis. Heidi,
Eureka) shared our pulpit, as our
two ministers were gone both
weekends. May God also bless
Bro. Sam Schlatter (Sis. Linda,
Junction, OH) who ministered
here March 15.
Many from here were in
Mediapolis, March 8, for the
wedding of Bro. Nathan Schock
(Bro. Doug and Sis. Clara) and
Sis. Kaylyn Lanz (Bro. Robby and
Sis. Kris). It was mentioned that
the strength of a marriage is the
focus on God.
Undergoing surgery recently
was our Sis. Mary Wiegand (Bro.
Dave). May the Lord help her with
her affliction.
Springtime is planting time.
I have this clipping entitled “A
GARDEN”.
First, let’s have five rows of
peas – Preparedness, Politeness.
Promptness, Perseverance and
Prayer.
Next, let’s have three rows of
squash – Squash gossip, squash
criticism, squash indifference.
Then let’s have four rows of
lettuce – Let us be faithful, let us
be unselfish, let us be loyal and
truthful, let us love one another.
No garden is complete without
turnips – Turn up for church
regularly, turn up with a smile
every day, turn up with real
determination.
Note: A garden like this could
prove very fruitful. Let’s plant,
cultivate, love, nurture and harvest
it. -Author Unknown
Iowa, Elgin
Maria Rocke
Elder Bro. Wayne Grimm
(Sis. Rose, West Bend, IA) and
Bro. Trent Meiss (Sis. Lucy,
Eureka, IL) were with us for the
reading of the memorandum. We
appreciate their willingness to
exhort and encourage.
We enjoyed a visit from a
mystery group this month as
several single brothers and sisters
from Princeville and Bradford
along with a handful of couples
made a trip over to Elgin.
Ministering Bros. Matt Steffen
(Sis. Deanna, Princeville, IL) and
Barry Dietz (Sis. Rachel, Bradford,
IL) were also along, and we thank
them for their labors on Sunday.
Bro. Lon Butikofer underwent
surgery this month, and we’re
thankful he is recovering well.
Iowa, Garden Grove
Laura Funk
We have been blessed with
several visiting ministers over the
past few weeks. We appreciated
the messages brought to us through
God’s servants. Serving us were
Bros. Kevin Banwart (West Bend,
IA), Jedd Rocke (Goodfield, IL),
John Rassi (Tremont, IL) and Aaron
Frank (Elgin, IA). Accompanying
these brothers were there families
and many other loved ones.
We also were blest with the
reading of the Memorandum
by Elder Bro. Doug Schock
(Bloomfield, IA) and local
ministering Bro. Brad Funk. We
were given a written copy so we
could refresh our memories at home.
“Thus our duty is made plain,
Trusting and in God abiding.
Faithful to thy Lord remain;
Till your eyes in light beholding,
See prepared there for the blest
Shining crowns of righteousness.”
Zion›s Harp #105 vs.5 Iowa, Iowa City
Diana Butikofer
We thank Elder Bro. Trent
Meiss (Sis. Lucy, Eureka, IL) for
his willingness to come to Iowa
City to share the Memorandum
with us and serve us on Sunday
as well.
We are pleased to have Bro.
Josh Snodgrass back home after he
spent the fall and winter working
April 2015
SILVER LINING
31
in the Latty, OH area.
Polly) and Abby Berentschot,
who recently announced their
Iowa, Lester
engagement. We wish this young
Audrey Metzger, Joyce Moser
couple God’s blessings as they
“Gone is all my debt of sin, a great begin to anticipate their lives
change is bro’t within,
together, and plan for their
And to live I now begin, risen
wedding to be held in June, 2016.
from the fall;
We also congratulate Derek
Yet the debt, I did not pay.
and Kelsey VerBeek, who were
Someone died for me one day,
married March 14. Derek’s parents
sweeping all the debt away…Jesus are Tim and Sis. Becky. We ask
paid it all!”
for God’s blessings and guidance
Gospel Hymns #393
on their union!
As we reflect on Christ’s death
Bro. Blain Knobloch (Bro.
and resurrection during this past
Vern & Sis Chalea) has completed
Easter, let us remember the price
his college course of study. We
that was paid to ransom us from
wish him the best as he enters the
sin…His shed blood… giving us
world of work.
the hope of eternal life with Him
“Ring the bells of Heaven, there is
in heaven!
joy today!
Heartfelt thanks go out to
For the wanderer now is
visiting ministers who shared our
reconciled!” Gospel Hymns #622
pulpit during “Invite-a-Guest”
Our hearts rejoice to share the
weekend March 14-15. Elder Bro.
news of two more souls who have
Paul Messner (Sis. Jan, Winthrop, claimed Christ as their Savior!
MN), Bro. Kevin Wulf (Sis.
We pray for God’s grace in fullest
Annie, Morris, MN), and Bro.
measure for Kenneth Knoblock
Darin Massner (Sis. Twyla, West
(Bro. Lynn and Sis. Joni) and
Bend, IA) helped to bring God’s
Kaysha Blomgren (Bro. Jon &
Word to us. We also enjoyed, and Sis. Tricia) as they begin on this
felt blessed by, the presence of each pathway, allowing God to work
of the visitors that weekend. Our
change in their hearts and lives.
fellowship is so precious!
We extend sincere sympathy
Prayers for recovery and
to Sis. Edith (Bro Silas) Knobloch
healing go out to those who had
on the loss of her brother, Bro.
hospital stays in the past month.
Martin Hohulin from Lamar,
They include Sis. Lois (Bro. Jim)
MO. Heartfelt sympathy also goes
Metzger, Bro. Harvey (Sis Mary)
out to Charles & Linda Metzger
Metzger, Bro. Ezra (Sis. Marie)
and family, in the loss of Linda’s
Knobloch, Sis. Donna (Bro. John) mother, Lois Hanson.
Gerber, and Daphne Mogler (Bro. Note of Thanks:
Chet and Sis. Cassie).
The family of Sis. Beth
Congratulations to Eric
Knobloch would like to sincerely
Metzger (Bro. Rodney & Sis.
thank each of you for your support
32
and encouragement during the
last six months. There is no way
we could have made this journey
alone. First, it is by the grace and
mercy of God, and then it is with
your prayers, cards, calls, visits,
food and assistance. A very sincere
and heartfelt thanks for your
deeds of kindness.
Bro. Myron Knobloch and family
Bro. Howard & Sis. Lillian
Mogler and families
Bro. Ezra & Sis. Marie Knobloch
and families
Iowa, Oakville-Mediapolis
Kelsey Banwart, Tami Lanz
We are thankful for the many
visiting ministers who shared the
Word of God with us this month.
Bro. Ted Witzig, Jr. (Sis. Donna,
Morton, IL) was here on February
22 and presented a talk about
“Technology and Families” at
the Fellowship Center. It was an
interesting topic for all ages. We
also thank Bro. Wayne Grimm
(Sis. Rose, West Bend, IA) for
coming to read the Memorandum
on March 14. Other visiting
ministers were Elder Bro. Rod
Bajema (Sis. Sue, Lester, IA), Elder
Bro. Doug Schock (Sis. Clara,
Bloomfield, IA), Bro. Ryan Schock
(Sis. Melanie, Bloomfield, IA), and
Bro. Duane Metzger (Sis. Ruth,
West Bend, IA).
Taya Beth was born on
February 24 to Bro. Kory and
Sis. Brooke Wagenbach. She joins
big sister Shanna. Grandparents
are Bro. Jerry and Sis. Bonnie
Wagenbach, Jr. and Bro. David
and Sis. Crystal Steitmatter
(Princeville, IL).
We extend our sympathy to
Bro. Norm and Sis. Mary Ann
Frank in the passing of Bro.
Norm’s brother, Ken Frank.
On March 1, the engagement
of Bro. Jaydon Wagenbach to Sis.
Risa Fehr was announced. Their
parents are Bro. Jeff and Sis. Monti
Wagenbach and Bro. Randy and
Sis. Lori Fehr (Morris North,
MN). We are excited for them as
they start this journey of faith.
On March 8, we witnessed
the joining of two hearts as Bro.
Nathan Schock and Sis. Kaylyn
Lanz were united in marriage.
Their parents are Elder Bro.
Doug and Sis. Clara Schock
(Bloomfield, IA) and Bro. Robby
and Sis. Kris Lanz. We wish this
couple many blessings as they
begin their life together.
of assembling freely.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all. Amen.” Phil. 4:23
Sis. Betty Wirtz experienced
the loss of her brother-in-law,
Bro. Elmer Schmidt. Sis. Evelyn
Schmidt experienced the loss
of her brother, Ken Frank. May
God’s arm of comfort rest over
these two sisters and their families.
Recently, Elder Bro. Wayne
Grimm shared an exhortation to
Communion. We appreciate his
labors for God’s people and pray
God will bless us all.
Tokyo, Japan
Marie Inoue
“ . . . I am the resurrection, and
the life: he that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he
live: “ John 11:25.
We are thankful for the words
of our Lord to Martha as she
Note of Thanks:
pondered the death of her brother.
The family of Bro. Tom
As the weather is turning
Steiner would like to express their warmer, we notice flowering
gratefulness to each one who
bushes coming to life again as
reached out to us during Bro.
our hearts prepare for the Easter
Tom’s illness and since his passing. season. We enjoyed singing at two
We pray that our Lord will richly
nursing homes, and thankful that
bless you for your support and
we were allowed to sing praises to
many acts of kindness.
our Lord with prayer and Bible
Sis. JoAnn Steiner & family
reading at these two facilities.
We also spent time with our
Iowa, West Bend
Bro. Yamazaki at a nursing home.
Yvonne Bruellman, Becky Virkler
Although we see him failing in
This past month we were
some ways, he still manages to
blessed with many visitors. Among sing a few words of “The Haven
them was Bro. Paul Kilgus (Sis.
of Rest,” Seika, p. 472, with
Carmen, Fairbury, IL) who
us, which was always one of his
shared the Word of Life. May we favorite hymns.
always be thankful for the gift of
We are lifting up the family
fellowshipping freely and the gift
in prayer, both those here in
Japan and U.S., of our Sis. Betty
Klaus who went to her heavenly
home this month. May they all be
comforted knowing she is safely in
the arms of our dear Jesus.
Kansas, Bern
Jill Meyer, Rita Menold
“Jesus, take this heart of mine,
Make it pure and wholly Thine,
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee!”
Hymns of Zion, #176, verse 4
We are rejoicing with the angels
in heaven as three more souls have
come to the Lord in repentance!
Our prayers are with Kyle Meyer
(Bro. Larry and Sis. Jill), Hannah
Rokey (Bro. Todd and Sis. Sheila)
and Ryan Strahm (Elder Bro. Brad
and Sis. Michelle) as they take this
most important step in life.
What a joy to have a new
baby born into our congregation!
First-time parents, Bro. Hans
and Sis. Rachel Strahm welcome
Grace Elizabeth, who made an
early appearance on March 19.
Grandparents are Bro. Kyle and Sis.
Peggy Strahm and Darin and Sis.
Karen Edelman (Sabetha). We pray
she will soon gain strength enough
to come home and that God may
grant them wisdom as they begin
this new chapter in their lives.
The Memorandum was read to
us on February 28. We especially
thank Elder Bro. Duane Rocke
(Sis. Bonnie, Minneapolis) for
being used in the Lord’s service
that weekend.
Our prayers have been with
Lisa Menold, as she was a medical
patient this past month.
April 2015
SILVER LINING
33
Life, Death, and Resurrection
Many heartfelt thanks for
of our Precious Lord and Savior,
all the prayers, cards, gifts and
may we give fervent thanks to
support I received during my
our God that He sent His only
recovery from surgery. May God
Son as a Sacrificial Lamb to cover
bless you all. Lisa Menold
our sin and make it possible for
us to someday live forever with
Kansas, Ft. Scott
Him. We know our Lord rode
Karen Kellenberger
into Jerusalem on a meek little
Greetings of love. This month, donkey some 2000 years ago; and
we appreciated Bro. Wes Moser
we know when He comes again
(Sis. Esther, Lester, IA) sharing the the second time “He will be riding
Word. On a Wednesday evening,
atop a war horse, and will rule
Elder Bro. Randy Kellenberger
the nations with a rod of iron”.
(Sis. Karen, Kansas City, MO)
Revelation 19:11-15, paraphrased.
opened to scriptural passages that
How thankful we should be
would help prepare our hearts to
to have that privilege of going
receive Holy Communion in the
to church and worshipping our
near future.
Lord, without being threatened
“The Lamb of God”
or persecuted; for we read by the
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God,
media that many Christians in
Who takes away our sin
foreign lands are being tortured
He came the sinless Son of God
and killed for their refusal to
To cleanse our hearts within
embrace an evil doctrine instilled
He hung upon the bloodby the Evil One himself.
stained cross,
“and I saw the souls of them that
Thinking of you and me, Dying
were beheaded for the witness of
like some hardened criminal,
Jesus, and for the Word of God,
His body in agony
and who had not worshiped the
Just so you could know His love
beast, neither his image, neither
And forgiveness for your sins,
had received his mark upon their
To know His resurrection power
foreheads, or in their hands.”
And to have His life within
Revelation 20:4
He cares that much about your life,
He endured the cross for you
Kansas, Lamont-Gridley
Like those who jeered, or those
Dorene Metzger
who loved,
February 8 brought two
With Jesus – what will YOU do?
visiting ministers to our
-M.S. Lowndes
congregation, both of whom have
family ties to our church family.
Kansas, Kiowa
Bro. John (Sis. Lori) Baumgartner
Millicent Frieden, Janice Bahr
of Bern, KS and Bro. Jeff (Sis.
As we move into the Easter
Janice) Bahr from Kiowa, KS
season when we celebrate the
reminded us that “ALL scripture is
Note of thanks:
34
given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: that the man of God
may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:1617 and that “We have no one
to blame but ourselves for our
struggles when we let Satan into
our lives and plans”. Good food
for contemplation as we go about
our daily lives.
Recent surgical patients in
our congregation were Sis. Liseten
Strahm and Sis. Dorene Metzger.
We partook of Holy
Communion on February 28.
Such an encouraging evening
was spent remembering our
Lord’s tremendous suffering,
shed blood and cruel death upon
that rugged cross and also our
daily response of gratitude for
our redemption through His
obedience to the Father. Bro. Art
(Sis. Bonnie) Ingold of Rittman,
OH assisted our Bro. Jay Luthi
with this sacrament. Bro. Art
also ministered to us on Sunday.
He reminded us of Joseph’s predetermination to keep himself
from appearances of evil, and how
God brought good from Joseph’s
brothers’ attempts for selfishness.
Do we pre-determine to keep
God in the forefront of our lives
and to keep ourselves from the
appearance of evil when we pray
and seek God’s help as we journey
in this life?
Our Spring Invite-a-Guest
weekend was held March 7 & 8. A
wonderful weekend of fellowship
included the ministry of Bro.
Dan (Sis. Deb) Stoller from
Remington, IN; Bro. Seth (Sis.
Brenda) Hartter of Burlington,
IA; and Bro. Matt (Sis. Courtney)
Schubach of Kiowa, KS. How
encouraging it is when younger
ministers can lend their support
in the Word to those who have
ministered for some years. What
a strengthening to us the listeners
as well to know that God will
continue to raise up brethren who
will proclaim Truth by His grace.
Tower 4 Floor 8 — The
busyness of nurses caring for
very ill patients outside my
room door seemed to never end.
Pain and misery occupied my
mind and body. The bed was
not comfortable. Sleep would
not come. Moving from the bed
to a chair by the window gave
a different view by night. Blocks
of the city were dark with only a
street light on each of four corners.
The breath of God prompted me
to pray for the city — for the
abused, the sick, the lonely, the
hurting, the homeless, the corners
of darkness and evil. But I was
also reminded to thank God for
the faithful believers who were
also praying and beseeching God’s
mercy for this city as well. After
some time of prayer, I perceived
that my pain and misery had
eased somewhat. Slipping from the
chair to the bed, sleep did come.
Life went on around me, but in
my mind and soul, there was relief
and a promise that God knew my
need as well as the needs of that
city. He wished for me to recognize
that others had needs, too. I knew
that there were prayers being
offered for me, but I also needed
to know that my prayers would be
a sweet smelling perfume of praise
for my Lord and His Son.
Kansas, Sabetha
Crystal Hartter, Dawn Strahm
We are thankful that we’ve
had several visiting ministers to
share the truth with us and pray
the Lord’s blessings upon them.
They include: Bro. Aaron Luthi
(Sis. Maria, Lamont-Gridley, KS),
Bro. John Leman (Sis. Connie,
Bern, KS), Bro. Scott Aberle
(Sis. Dorine, Washington, IL),
Bro. John Baumgartner (Sis.
Lori, Bern, KS), and Bro. Craig
Stickling (Sis Jackie, Peoria, IL).
May they continue to lean upon
God and the Holy Spirit.
Volunteers from our church
and the Bern church worked
together on a local work project
to help fix up a house here in
Sabetha. We pray that the home
may be a blessing to whoever will
abide there.
“There are friendships that we
cherish In our daily walk of life
Friends with whom we meet
and labor In our earthly toil and
strife…” Christian Friendship,
Hymns of Zion #91
We enjoyed spending time
with loved ones renewing old
friendships and creating new
ones during our Invite-a-Guest
weekend March 14 and 15.
Christian friendships are precious
and truly a blessing from above.
We are thankful for our
recent converts. Naomi Wiegand
(Bro. Stan and Sis. Marilyn) and
Tessa Strahm (Bro. Lynn and Sis.
Sally) have turned to the Lord in
repentance. May they feel God’s
grace and nearness in their new
walk with the Lord. More reasons
to for us to be thankful include
two precious souls, Leah Metzger
(Bro. Jared and Sis. Carla) and
Brianna Grimm (Bro. Darin and
Sis. Marci), have found the peace
that passeth understanding and
await baptism.
Bro. Wayne, Sis. Carrie, Sis.
Elsie, Sadie, Emmie and Estie
Grimm welcomed Nellie Mae
into their family March 19.
Grandparents are Bro. Rod and
Sis. Arlene Grimm and Gary
and Marilyn Edelman. We pray
for God’s wisdom as they raise
their family. Bro. Roger and Sis.
Ilene Hartter are first-time greatgrandparents and Darin and Sis.
Karen Edelman are first-time
grandparents as Bro. Hans and
Sis. Rachel Strahm (Bern, KS)
welcome Grace Elizabeth into
their hearts. We pray that all goes
well as she was born early.
Sis. Cheri Metzger was a
hospital patient this past month.
We pray for God’s healing and
strength be upon her.
As Mother’s Day approaches,
we remember our mothers and all
that they do for us in our physical
and spiritual needs. May God bless
each mother for all that they do
and selflessly give of themselves!
April 2015
SILVER LINING
35
Kansas, Wichita
Max and Judy Reimschisel
Spring is always a welcome
sight. It brings invigorating
freshness to the air, new growth of
grass and the smell and the beauty
of fresh blossoms.
How thankful we are for the
blessing of Christ’s death and
resurrection. It gives us new joy
and peace.
We think of the Sunday school
children learning the songs about
Jesus and His resurrection for the
first time. This brings new life and
joy that we trust will be with them
life-long.
Visiting the elderly is always an
edifying experience, not only for
them, but also for those who visit.
Families enjoyed fellowship and
singing with Sis. Emma Miller.
It was a privilege to have Bro.
Matt Steffen and Sis.Deanna
from Princeville, IL to share the
Word with us. We are always
thankful for God’s Word and
the encouragement given by our
ministers through the Holy Spirt.
The dedication at the Vilonia,
Arkansas worksite for the work
accomplished for those involved in
the tornado was a special blessing
for all. The singing provided by the
Bluffton youth group added to the
inspiration of the whole evening.
All the glory was given to God that
this work could be accomplished in
His name. The theme song, sung
each morning before work began,
still rings in our hearts:
“It’s an honor to serve
To join in the fight
To lift up my voice
36
To lay down my life
Giving glory to God
Seeking none in return
It’s an honor, an honor to serve.”
Mexico, Ixtlán
Ruth Gerber
“The voice of joy, and the
voice of gladness, the voice of the
bridegroom, and the voice of the
bride, the voice of them that shall
say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for
the Lord is good; for his mercy
endureth for ever: and of them that
shall bring the sacrifice of praise into
the house of the Lord…” Jer. 33:11
We are looking forward to
a joyous marriage celebration in
Ixtlán! The engagement of Bro.
Carlos Hernandez and Sis. Lupita
Sibaja was announced this month.
We praise God for His goodness.
Our prayers are with them as they
plan for their life together.
Michigan, Alto
Renee Steffen, Shelli Oesch
There is excitement in the
air here in Alto because next
weekend we look forward to the
long-awaited baptism of Peggi
Vasbinder. As someone who
was led to our church just three
years ago, through some nearby
neighbors, Peggi has a tremendous
appreciation for the depth of
God’s love. So often I am humbled
by the thankfulness she has for
“her new family.”
We share in the joy of the
birth of Kinley Joe, born to Ryan
and Cori Sanders of Toledo, OH.
Excited grandparents are Bro.
Ed and Sis. Julie Sanders; great
grandma, Sis. Darlene Goodwin;
and great-great grandparents, Bro.
Lloyd and Sis. Ella Louise Blough.
Bro. Wally and Donna Gerst were
happy to share they have a new
granddaughter, Eden Grace, born
to Bro. Phil and Sis. Stephanie
Huber of Francesville, IN.
The Holy Spirit truly speaks
to our hearts each time the
Word of Truth is preached.
We so appreciate our ministers’
willingness to allow themselves to
be used. Bro. Greg Lehman (Sis.
Marybeth) from Wolcott and Bro.
Dennis Kaufmann (Sis. Bonnie) of
Bloomington stood along-side our
home ministers this month past,
to spread the Gospel of Truth.
Our thoughts and prayers
extend to Sis. Sandy Schutte
(Steve), who was hospitalized this
past month, and to others who
are struggling through issues and
concerns of life.
Note of Thanks:
We would like to extend a
heartfelt thank you to our church
family for your love and support
the past five months. Although
we were unable to keep up with
replying to the many emails, texts,
and cards that were sent to us,
each one was appreciated. Most of
all, we appreciate all the prayers
offered on our family’s behalf that
helped sustain us through our
challenging journey by Mom’s
side, and now through our loss.
We continue to lean on your
prayers as we learn to navigate our
new path in life.
Bro. Aaron and Sis. Laura Kaeb
Thought to ponder:
“Kind words can never die...”
Hymns of Zion #163
Often we’re hurt, by barbed words
spoken,
These most likely come, from a
heart that’s broken.
May we strive to look beyond and
in reality see,
That they need even more, a
Christ-like love from thee.-res
“Angry words! Oh let them
never...Love one another...”
Hymns of Zion #65
Michigan, Bay City
Sarah Knochel
“Sit and pause awhile, my spirit,
This great miracle behold;
See the King of highest merit
On the cross, so bare and cold!
Out of heaven God has given
His own Son in love untold!”
Zion’s Harp, 226 v, 1,6
With Easter a few weeks away,
we again remember the sacrifice
that our Savior paid on the cross
for our sins. May we never forget
to “sit and pause” and give thanks
for each of the blessings God has
given us.
On March 7, Bro. Ted Witzig,
Jr. (Sis. Donna, Morton, IL)
presented two different ACCFS
topics to our congregation. We
also appreciate his willingness to
minister unto our congregation
on Sunday. Bro. Howard
Plattner (Sis. Kristin, Alto, MI)
spent a recent Sunday with our
congregation. We appreciate him
coming to assist as several of our
ministers were traveling.
Our thoughts and prayers
are with Lyle and Sis. Marlene
McNally in the recent passing of
her brother, Harlan Eisenman.
We also want to remember Brad
and Gina (Meylan) Senkowski and
their children in the passing of his
father, Thomas Senkowski.
Our Senior Bible Class
recently had the opportunity
to travel to Junction, OH for
a weekend of fellowship. It is
always a blessing when our youth
can gather together and create
memories that can last a lifetime.
“As for God, his way is perfect:
the word of the LORD is tried: he
is a buckler to all those that trust in
him.” Psalm 18:30
Michigan, Detroit
Manuela Denes
There is nothing quite like
the feeling of going outside on
that first warm and sunny day in
spring. I love seeing the purple
crocus — the first bloom in
my garden to show its “face” to
the world. Being in my garden
reminded me of my visit to
Jerusalem last year. There were
many special places throughout
the trip that held a biblical and
spiritual significance. A highlight
for me, however, was our time at
the Garden Tomb. Of course, no
one can be sure that this is the
garden where Christ was taken
after the crucifixion. “Now in the
place where he was crucified there
was a garden; and in the garden a
new sepulchre, wherein was never
man yet laid.” (John 19:41)It is
one of the prettiest places we
visited while in Jerusalem though
and it really brought home the
miracle of the resurrection. May
this Easter season renew us all and
remind us that in death there is life!
We shared a blessed weekend
as our dear Sis. Dorothy (Chuck)
Leman gave her testimony to the
church on Saturday night and was
then baptized on Sunday. It is so
special to be reminded that it is
never too late to listen and heed
God’s call. May the Lord bless her
and her dear family.
It is with much joy to hear the
announcement that Katie Lanski
knows the miracle of grace and
faith having worked conversion
and peace in her heart. She desires
to share her testimony and looks
forward to baptism. Her parents
are Sis. Melinda and Todd Lanski.
We were also blessed to hear
that Stephanie Rauhe has begun
her repentance. Her parents are
Bro. Jason and Sis. Carrie Rauhe.
Our prayers are with them both as
they continue their spiritual growth.
We’re always so thankful for
those who take the time to come
and worship with us. Visiting
ministers this month were Bro.
Justin (Sis. Marcia) Koch from
Tremont, IL and Bro. Lowell
Moser from Morris, MN.
Sympathy and prayers go
out to Ray and Kim Smith and
their family in the passing of her
grandmother, Eunice Brown.
Prayers for a speedy recovery
go out to Sis. Judy Aberle following
surgery. It is always a challenge
when we are faced with health
issues, but such a relief to know
that we can put all our worries and
cares in God’s faithful hands.
April 2015
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I’d like to share a final thought
from the Garden Tomb. As you
walk through the garden, there are
a number of scripture references
on pretty tile plaques. I took
pictures of these so that I could
remember them and I’ll close this
article with one that I love. “(Jesus
Christ) declared to be the Son of
God with power, according to the
spirit of holiness, by the resurrection
from the dead.” (Romans 1:4)
Minnesota, Morris
Amy Ekren, Heidi Pfaffmann
Elder Bro. Rod Bajema (Sis.
Sue, Lester, IA) and Bro. Dale
Wulf (Sis. Becky, Lester, IA)
visited us mid-week to give a
Communion exhortation. Also
ministering to our congregation
this month was Bro. Darren Fehr
(Sis. Nora, West Bend, IA). We
are thankful for their willingness
to travel and to be used by the
Holy Spirit.
“But let a man examine himself,
and so let him eat of that bread, and
drink of that cup.” 1 Cor. 11:28
Our love and prayers are with
Sis. Joyce Moser as she recovers
from a minor stroke. May God
provide the comfort and healing as
only He can.
We rejoice with Bro. Mitch
and Sis. Abbie Fehr on the birth
of their baby girl, Cambrie Diane.
She is welcomed home by siblings
Monte, Maddie, Mylie, Marty and
Cooper. Grandparents are Bro.
Gary and Sis. Sandy Fehr, Mark
and Mick Ekren and Vance and
Kim Gullickson.
38
Minnesota, Morris North
Lois Schmidgall, Wanda Gramm
Greetings in Jesus Name! As I
write this month we find ourselves
moving out of one season into
another. Winter is just about gone,
and we are so looking forward
to the Spring Season. Had to
think…shouldn’t it be Spring in
all of our lives on a daily basis?
Renew, Revive, Relive, Rebirth
and Resurrection. These are words
that describe the Season of Spring.
Are we finding those words in our
hearts daily as we live in the Spirit
of God?
We thank the brothers who
came to share The Word with us
this past month. Bro. Jeff (Sis.
Sue) Neihouser, Morton, IL.
And Bro. Jim (Sis. Hildy) Koehl
of the Morris country church.
We appreciate your efforts and
also say thanks to our Bro. Dale
Zeltwanger and Bro. Doug Moser,
who Sunday after Sunday serve
our church. God Bless.
A beautiful bundle of joy
was born to Marcus and Lindsay
(Gramm) Montana. Little Merci
arrived on March 4. Merci is
welcomed by her big brother
Malachi. Her grandparents are
Bro. Ted and Sis. Wanda of
Morris North.
Our Sunday School and adults
joined together for an evening in
making fleece blankets. We enjoy
that Christian fellowship, and pray
that wherever the blankets will be
distributed, those persons can feel
our love, and the love of Jesus.
We are rejoicing with Bro.
Randy and Sis. Lori Fehr, and Bro.
Jeff and Sis. Monti Wagenbach on
the engagement of their children,
Sis. Risa and Bro. Jayden. May
God bless them as they are busy
planning for their wedding on
June 7. Our little church body is
very excited…this wedding will
be another first for us, the first
wedding in our new church.
Our prayers are that God
will wrap His loving and healing
arms around Merci Montana
who has been in the hospital
with health issues.
We look forward to the Easter
season and rejoice that our Savior
has risen, and that we have that
hope of seeing Him someday.
Missouri, Lamar
Venetta Banwart
We wish to extend our
deepest sympathy to the family
of Bro. Martin Hohulin: Sis.
Edith and their children:
Bonnie Beutel (Keith), Sis.
Becky Hohulin and Martin Jr.
“Bubs” Hohulin (Marilyn). May
God be near to each of them
and give them a peace that Bro.
Martin was released from his
earthly infirmities.
Our visiting ministers this
month were: Elder Bro. Ron
Messner of Washington, IL
(Sis. Pam), Bro. Vince Pfister of
Bluffton, IN (Sis. Brandy), Bro.
Merlin Meyer of Lester, IA (Sis.
Marilyn). Many thanks for feeding
us from God’s Holy Word and
being willing to travel to Lamar
so that we can have Christian
fellowship of the brethren.
Note of Thanks:
The family of Bro. Martin
Hohulin wishes to sincerely thank
all of their friends, relatives,
neighbors and church families of
Lamar and Fort Scott, KS for all
their love and prayers at Martin’s
passing. For all the cards, flowers,
food phone calls donations and
all that attended the services. For
those who came a long way from
Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas
and Iowa, we thank you, Martin
loved to visit with his many
friends. God bless you all.
In His Love and Ours, Sis. Edith
and Family.
Missouri, St. Louis
Kary Mangers
With grateful hearts and
appreciation of how our extended
church family works together, we
thank our visiting ministers and
their wives who traveled to share
His Word this past month. They
were Bro. Ted and Sis. Heidi Schock
(Belvidere) and Bro. Bradley and Sis.
Michelle Strahm (Bern).
A special thanks to Bro. Bryon
and Sis. Carol Stoller (Gridley),
also. Even though the weather
prevented us from fellowshipping
the Sunday they were here, they
had already made the trip. The
time and effort each brother
and sister contributes to our
congregation is a blessing.
As we continue to count our
many blessings, Elder Bro. Kent
and Sis. Jan Heimer (Taylor)
are among them. Their love and
dedication to our congregation is
a gift from God. They came this
month to shepherd and care for
our flock by sharing information
from the Winter Elders’
Conference and other topics. Sis.
Jan cared for many of our children
as Bro. Kent cared for the adults.
together, saith the Lord; though your
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow;” We appreciate his
willingness to come and may God
bless him and his family.
Missouri, Taylor
Ben Wiegand
Marcia Sutter
On 2/22/15 Elder Bro. John
(Sis. Connie) Lehman from
Bern, KS was here visiting family
and had the morning service. We
never get tired of hearing him
tell the old, old story and wish
them God’s richest blessings. In
the afternoon, Bro. Scott (Sis.
Dawn) Wegman gave us the
Communion Exhortation.
Sis. Emma Dee (Bro. Robert)
was hospitalized for surgery. May
she feel God’s healing hand on her
and be back to good health soon.
A group of Sisters (called
15:6) from Bloomington, IL came
to sing to us both on Saturday
evening 3/7/15 and Sunday 3/8/15
after the afternoon service. Bro.
Matt (Sis. Rebekah) Kaufmann
from Bloomington had both
services on Sunday. We thank
God for all the many blessings
that we received. We were also
glad to have Bro. Ben and Sis.
Molly Knochel (one of the Sisters
that sang) come home to visit.
On 3/14/1 Elder Bro. Bruce
(Sis. Elizabeth) Endress from
Bradford, IL came to help serve
Communion and also had both
services on Sunday. One of the
thoughts that was brought out
by Bro. Bruce was Isaiah 1:18:
“Come now, and let us reason
New Jersey, Union City
“To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under
the heaven: A time to be born, and
a time to die; a time to plant, and
a time to pluck up that which is
planted.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
The truth’s in God’s Word
remind us of the timing of the
seasons — this has become very
real for the Union City Church, as
the last two sisters that worshipped
in this beloved church, Sis. Emilia
Pancarician and Sis. Ofelia Luiba
passed from this life to eternity
during this last month. Many
of us have blessed memories of
visiting the Union City church
and seeing these dear sisters, along
with Sis. Emilia’s children: Dmitri,
David, Emilia, Ofelia and Aurelia
and enjoying a wonderful time of
fellowship and worship together.
One of the daughters reminded us
of her aunt’s favorite song, Before
the Meeting, Hymn #1 in the
Hymns of Zion. We are thankful
that the seeds planted in youth,
can still bring forth fruit in later
years of life.
Three of the children still live
in the Union City area, while
the other two have moved to
Tennessee and Florida. May each
of us continue to keep them, their
families and close friends in our
thoughts and prayers during this
April 2015
SILVER LINING
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time of loss in their lives.
We were appreciative of the
opportunity to close this season
of the Union City Church around
God’s Word and through the
singing of hymns. Throughout the
service, the truths of God’s Word
provided both comfort, hope and
an exhortation to be prepared for
the day when our season of life
comes to an end. We are thankful
for the support of brethren from
Rockville and Philadelphia during
these services.
New York, CroghanNaumburg
Ambrose and Alyssa Bush and we
wish them God’s blessing in this
new addition to their family.
Our prayers extend to Scott
and Dean Greenwood who have
recently met with injuries and are
now home recovering.
Ohio, Akron
Carla Miller
We extend our sympathy and
prayers to Bro. Sandor Hegedus
(Sis. Gyongyi) in the passing of his
father, Bro. Sandor Hegedus (Sis.
Ilona, Nagyer, Hungary).
Ohio, Columbus
Hope Graves
Julie Grimm
Many of us gathered together
Friday evening, February 20 to
assemble health, school and sewing
kits. We were blessed with the work
that was accomplished and the
many children that came to help.
We are thankful to the
Rockville, CT single group for
coming to serve us lunch on Sunday,
March 15. We were able to enjoy
a potluck and singing together the
evening before and were blessed
with the Christian fellowship of our
Rockville brethren.
“There are friendships that we
cherish, in our daily walk of life.
Friends with whom we meet and
labor, in our earthly toil and
strife. Friends among the aged and
youthful, friends that live from us
apart. Friends of higher rank and
station, find a place within my
heart.” Hymns of Zion 91 vs.1
We share in the joy of the
arrival of Axel Ambrose on
March 16. Baby Axel was born to
The Lord is faithful to send
willing brethren to minister God’s
Holy Word. Serving our church
this month were Elder Bro. Mark
Masters (Mansfield, OH) and
Bros. John Lehman (Wolcott, IL),
Earl Beery, (Rittman, OH), Fred
Domka (Mansfield, OH), and
Todd Sinn (Latty, OH). May the
Lord richly bless these brothers
and their families, as well as the
many visitors who have brought
encouragement by worshipping
with us this month.
A number from our church
were blessed to travel to Latty,
OH to witness the testimony
and baptism of Bro. Andrew
Klopfenstein. We are thankful for
the time Andrew is spending in
Columbus and rejoice to have him
as a brother in faith.
40
Ohio, Junction
Elizabeth Manz
This month we were blessed
with the gift of three new lives.
Bro. Larry and Sis. Cheree Manz
welcomed Lorraina Maureen
into their home on February 27.
Lorraina’s excited siblings are
Jaelah, Elsie, Isaiah, Kyanna, Barik
and Aryelle. Her grandparents are
Bro. Mike and Sis. Monica Fritz
(Nashville, TN) and Bro. Ken and
Sis. Gwen Manz.
Preston Michael was born
to Evan and Miranda Schlatter
on March 17. His big sisters are
Olivia and Isabelle. Preston’s
grandparents are Bro. Ed and
Sis. Cheryl Schlatter and Robin
Baughman Dobbelaere and
Craig Dobbelaere.
Kyle and Casey Schlatter were
thankful to welcome Gabe Oliver
into their family on March 18.
Gabe joins big brothers Noah and
Sawyer. His grandparents are Bro.
Ralph and Sis. Sheila Schlatter
and Hal and Kim Kemerer. We
wish each of these families God’s
blessings and guidance as they
teach and train their children.
Our prayers are with Bro.
Eli Manz as he has spent some
time in the hospital and is now
recovering. May God be his source
of encouragement and strength.
We were privileged to have
many visitors this month. We
are thankful and appreciative
of each one. Among them were
ministering Bros. Dana Nieman
(Sis. Lea, Remington, IN), Don
Steidl (Sis. Nan, Akron, OH) and
Matt Manz (Sis. Deanna, Toledo,
OH). We pray that God will bless
them for their labors.
Ohio, Latty
Carmen Stoller, Mindy Stoller
Greetings to each one and
happy Easter! May we each
be taking time to reflect on
Resurrection Day and the price
Jesus paid for each one.
We rejoice with Gina Sinn
(Bro. Todd and Sis. Janet) as it was
made known she has found peace
and awaits baptism. We pray for
continued grace for her!
Our Bro. Arthur Stoller
(Bro. Craig and Sis. Ruth) was
recently engaged to Sis. Wendy
Hartzler (Bro. Dan and Sis.
Jennifer, Rittman, OH). May
they feel God’s nearness as they
prepare for marriage!
We were blessed to witness the
testimonies and baptisms of Bro.
Andrew Klopfenstein (Bro. Roy
and Deb) and Sis. Abbey Linder
(Jim and Sis. Jane) on February 2829. It was a rejuvenating weekend
and we give God the glory!
We enjoyed many visiting
ministers the weekend of the
baptism. They included Elder
Bro. Vic Bauman (Sis. Brenda,
Smithville, OH), Bro. Justin
Koch (Sis. Marcia, Washington,
IL), Bro. Matthew Rassi (Sis.
Bridget, Chicago, IL), Bro. Jerry
Isch (Sis. Linda, Philadelphia,
PA), Bro. Earl Beery (Sis. Suzi,
Rittman, OH), and Bro. Dale
Wulf (Sis. Becky, Lester, IA).
May each one feel our love and
support each time they come!
We lift up in prayer Bro. Doug
Nygaard (Sis. Annette) as he has
been hospitalized. May God be
near him through this illness!
What a blessing that we can lift
each other up in prayer in our
various times of difficulty!
Ohio, Mansfield
Elizabeth Walter
It was a joy to witness the
marriage of Sis. Rachel Gerber
(Bro. Tim & Sis. Wendy) to Bro.
Abram Rufener (Bro. Leon &
Sis. Lori, Rittman, OH). May
Bro. Abe and Sis. Rachel feel the
nearness of the Holy Spirit as
they begin their new life together.
We thank Bro. Gary Brown (Sis.
Jane, Forrest, IL) and Bro. Jerry
Bauman (Sis. Martha, Rittman,
OH) for ministering to us on the
wedding day.
Our prayers are with those
who have been ill or required
surgery this month: Sis. Caroline
Sauder, Sis. Janet Beer (Bro. Al),
Michael Ramsey (Bro. Edward II
& Sis. Michelle), Sis. Joni Beer, Sis.
Jelena Garunovic (Bro. Mike), and
Mitchel Beer (Bro. Marvin & Sis.
Robin). May each one feel strength
and health return as God wills.
We are thankful for the
birth of two precious babies.
Bro. Edward II and Sis. Michelle
Ramsey welcome Michael Steven
into their family. Excited siblings
are Clarice, Ariel, and Edward III.
Michael’s grandparents are Bro.
Ed and Sis. Laura Ramsey, and
Bro. Steve and Sis. Ann Stoller
(Bradford, IL). Bro. Bruce and
Denise Sauder are glad for the safe
arrival of Corinn Ella. Corinn
joins siblings: Jordan, Lauren,
Colin, Madelyn, Elayn, Harrison,
Brennan, Jamison, and Jocelyn.
Thankful grandparents are Sis.
Caroline Sauder, Tom and Alisa
McFarland, and John and Kathy
Besenti. May Godly wisdom guide
each of these families as they raise
soldiers of the cross!
Our annual World Relief Days
are always a welcome change of
pace as winter subsides and hints
of spring are in the air. There was
a wonderful turnout of energetic
workers for the two-day event. We
were able to pack 14,600 bags of
Rice Pilaf soup, fill 545 Health
Kits for Mexico, compile 100 Red
Cross kits, sew 78 backpacks, and
complete 5 knotted comforters.
What a special opportunity for all
ages to work together and assist
with providing for those in need,
thank you!
It is with a mixture of sadness
and joy that we said our earthly
farewells to Sis. Jelena Garunovic.
Our prayers and sympathy go
out to her husband, Bro. Mike,
as well as her children: Bob
(Marianne), Stan, and Rick. May
each one feel peace and comfort
in the days ahead.
Ohio, Rittman
Julie Steiner, Maria Beery
How blessed to feel our Lord
working among us. This month,
we were thankful for Communion,
baptisms, new births, and the
work of Salvation furthered in
many lives. Our pulpit has been
blessed by visits from Elder Bro.
Vic Bauman (Smithville, OH)
and Elder Bro. Dave Graf (Akron,
OH), along with Bros. Craig
Stickling (Peoria, IL), Dan Pfister
April 2015
SILVER LINING
41
(Bluffton, IN), Steve Frauhiger
(Bluffton North, IN), Randy
Gasser (Detroit, MI), and Dana
Indermuhle (Sardis, OH).
We would like to welcome
Bro. Rob and Sis Ann Marie
Widmer, and their young son,
Zeke, moving here from Rockville,
CT. As sojourners through this
earth, we pray for wisdom to work
in the vineyards that He calls us.
We are touched by the
engagement of Sis. Wendy
Hartzler (Bro. Dan & Sis.
Jennifer) and Bro. Arthur Stoller
of Latty (Bro. Craig & Sis. Ruth).
Also, Bro. Abram Rufener (Bro.
Leon & Sis. Lori) and Sis. Rachel
Gerber (Bro. Tim & Sis. Wendy)
were united in marriage on March
1 in Mansfield, OH. The Lord
has clearly worked in these
young lives. We will miss Sis.
Wendy, moving to Latty, and
Bro. Abram as he and Sis. Rachel
worship at Mansfield. Brought
to our church by loving parents,
taught here, baptized here — we
wish them a constant peace and
trust, as they begin these new
chapters in their lives.
In each new soul that seeks
their salvation, we rejoice and
pray for their lives to seek out a
true and humble repentance, as
they come to know God. This
past month, three souls have
begun their repentance: Connor
Gasser (Bro. Mark and Sis. Jill),
Kenny Ramsier (Bro. Joe and Sis.
Kendra), and Martha Jenkins
(Bro. Tom and Sis. Debbie). And
yet, there is room.
What a joy — on March 15,
42
four young souls, all in highschool, were baptized into His
death, and arose to newness of
life. Bro. Amos Hartzler (Bro.
Tim and Sis. Sharon), Sis. Lydia
Steiner (Bro. Matt and Sis. Gail),
Bro. Noah Lanz (Bro. Jeff and
Sis. Darlene), and Sis. Rachel
Hartzler (Bro. Dan and Sis.
Jennifer) made a covenant with
God, to live for Him.
In two households, young
families have been given a gift and
duty. Thankful parents Bro. Brant
& Sis. Tiffany Gasser welcomed
son, Lincoln Glen on March
2, along with siblings Austin,
Carson, Madison, and Hudson.
Lincoln’s grandparents are Bro.
Dale and Janet Gasser and Stanley
and Wendy Haverty. Also, a
precious son, Reece Randall
Gasser, was born to Bro. Adam
& Sis. Jackie Gasser on February
26. Reece is welcomed by his sister
Olivia. His grandparents are Bro.
Neil and Sis. Donna Gasser and
Dwight and Bev Hartzler.
God has been good to us,
and we owe the sacrifice of praise
to Him, daily. For “health and
strength” we often thank God.
And yet, our thoughts and prayers
extend for our loved ones Bro. Jim
(Sis. Pat) Rufener, and Sis. Karen
(Bro. Steve) Ramsier, who have
spent time in the hospital.
Ohio, Sardis
Faith Beard
We pray for God’s comfort
and healing powers for Stephanie
Bissett (Mark), daughter of Bro.
Allen and Sis. Janet Indermuhle.
She has undergone some medical
complications and procedures in
the past few weeks.
The time has come once
again to start looking forward
to the annual New Martinsville
Memorial Service. This is being
planned for the last weekend in
June (27 and 28). The weekend
agenda starts with a worship
service in the Sardis church on
Saturday evening at 7:30. Then on
Sunday, a song service is scheduled
to begin at 10:30 at the New
Martinsville church, high in the
hills of West Virginia overlooking
the Ohio Valley. There will then
be a light lunch served followed
by an afternoon worship service.
A pizza supper will also be offered
to all at the completion of the
services. Invitation is extended to
anyone who would like to attend
either or both days. Please contact
Bro. Ken Indermuhle at 740483-1593 for accommodations or
further information.
Ohio, Smithville
Sara Crist, Kara Stoller
Congratulations to Bro.
Nathan & Sis. Lynn Steiner on
the birth of a son, Timon James.
Timon makes three, after siblings
Asher and Jessie. Thankful
grandparents are Bro. Jeff & Sis.
Millie Stoller and Bro. Jim & Sis.
Sara Steiner (Rittman, OH).
Our thoughts have been with
those recently hospitalized, Sis.
Betty Dotterer and Sis. Florence
Hartzler. “Be still, and know that I
am God…” (Psalm 46:10) As the
uncertain moments of life affect
each of us, we as believers have
reason to be so thankful for the
security and peace in knowing
an all loving, totally in-control
God, and His Son Jesus, our
Savior. Thank you to all who
have remembered the sick and
hospitalized in prayer.
We have appreciated visits
from ministers, Bro. Bill Brake
(Sis. Miriam, Sardis, OH), Bro.
Bob Riggenbach (Sis. Lorie,
Rittman, OH), Bro. Dana
Nieman (Sis. Lea, Remington,
IN), and Bro. Lucas Frank (Sis.
Crystal, Detroit, MI).
Ohio, Toledo
We are thankful for the safe
arrival of a precious baby girl! Aliza
Kae was born March 7, joining
the family of Bro. Luke, Sis.
Shari and Paiton Tucker. Excited
grandparents are Dan and Sis. Barb
Tucker (Mansfield) and Bro. Doug
and Sis. Lanna Harmon.
Note of thanks:
Thank you for all the
thoughts, prayers, and expressions
of support that were showered
on our family during Jesse’s
hospitalization and passing. May
God bless each one for your
thoughtful kindness. Bro. Dave
and Sis. Geri Beard and family.
Deanna Manz, Jenny Manz
Ontario, Kitchener
We rejoice with Bro. Doug
Harmon (Bro. Doug and Sis.
Lanna) as his engagement to
Sis. Brooke Fiechter (Bro. Don
and Sis. Suzie) of Bluffton was
announced. We are thankful
for the Lord’s leading in their
lives, and pray they will feel His
nearness as they take this step in
faith together.
Many thanks to our Elder
Bro. Bill Schlatter (Sis. Emily,
Junction) for joining us for two
mid-week services this month.
Bro. Bill gave us an update from
the recent Elder forums and
Winter Conference, as well as our
Communion exhortation. We are
always grateful for his labors for
our congregation!
March 7-8 was our annual
invite-a-friend weekend. It was
a blessing to have a full church
and to spend time with old and
new acquaintances.
Johanna Fortenbacher
We are thankful this month
with our visiting ministers Bros.
Kurt & Kathy Rassi, Tremont;
John & Gloria Cottrell, Eureka;
Ken & Linda Indermuhle,
Sardis; and Adam Luginbuhl,
Philadelphia. God bless you all
for coming to be with us. We
enjoy having you and appreciate
our visits with you. Our kitchen renovations are
almost finished and we are excited
to use it to host pot lucks etc. “For we brought nothing into this
world, and it is certain we carry
nothing out.” 2 Tim 6:7 Oregon, Portland
Louisa Gallup
Sis. Ginny Cooper (Bro.
Ray - dec.) had surgery last
month. Thankfully, it went
well and she was able to return
to the care facility where she
lives. We encourage people to
visit her when they can. It gives
her great pleasure.
We thank the ministers
and their families who came
to Portland, as well as the song
leaders and other visitors. The
Word was brought to us by Bros.
Chris (Sis. Mary) Kuenzi, Don
(Sis. Linda) Sinn and Harvey
(Sis. Jennifer) Kuenzi. It was most
appreciated and we wish you
God’s blessings for your kindness
and willing service.
Oregon, Silverton
Kelsey Walder, Ann Kuenzi
Bro. Dick and Sis. Jan
Gudeman are enjoying being
grandparents again. Their daughter,
Suzanne, and son-in-law, Renaud
Subra, have a new little son named
Emeric. He was born February 5. He
has two big brothers.
Bro. Brian Wagenbach (Bro.
Doug and Sis. Lillian) from San
Diego, CA and Sis. Annaliese
Kuenzi (Bro. Troy and Sis. Sherri)
were united in marriage Sunday,
February 22. We will miss Sis.
Annaleise, but pray she will be a
joy to the brethren in San Diego.
Visiting ministers here for their
special weekend from San Diego,
CA, were Bro. Doug Wagenbach
(Sis. Lillian) and Bro. Doug Brewer
(Sis. Janelle) and from Altadena,
CA, Bro. Joe Klotzle (Sis. Sue).
Bro. Chuck Walter (Sis.
Karen) spent a little time in the
hospital. Also experiencing some
health problems was Elder Bro.
John Wiegand (Sis. Jane). Sis.
Becky Von Flue (Bro. Dan) has
April 2015
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43
had another surgery on her hip.
Megan Zollinger (Bro. Scott and
Sis. Bethany) has had bladder
surgery, as well. Suffering a
broken leg, from playing soccer,
is Nathan Dettwyler (Bro. Kevin
and Sis. Jill). We are prayerful
that they will continue to heal
and gain in strength.
Clinton and Ellie Kuenzi
are excited to welcome their first
child, Royce Mathys. He was born
February 25. Grandparents are
Bro. Jim and Sis. Barb Kuenzi,
and Stuart and Phyllis Martin.
Elder Bro. Bill Schlatter (Sis.
Emily) from Junction, OH was
here to assist Elder Bro. John
Wiegand (Sis. Jane) for testimonies
and baptisms the weekend of
February 28 and March 1. We
welcome Sis. Kiersten Stadeli
(Bro. Nick and Sis. Lori), and
Bro. Paul Tribbett (Bro. Mark and
Sis. Anne-Marie). We enjoy and
appreciate weekends like this, as
they are uplifting to all.
Our hearts go out to Bro. Nick
and Sis. Mary Kuenzi in the loss
of her mother, Sis. Jean Kieser
(Bloomington, IL). It seems as
though our mothers should always
be here for us, and it is hard to see
them go.
March 14 we enjoyed a
World Relief hosted dinner and
presentation at the Fellowship
Center. We were all challenged to
get out of our comfort zone, look
for ways to help others, and pour
ourselves out in giving.
44
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Texas, Austin
Laura Isch
Sending our Love and
Greetings from Austin!
It continues to be a beautiful
time to visit Austin as the
days are sunny, breezy and the
temperature is in the 70s. It
is such a joy to behold God’s
amazing creation. The trees are
budding with new leaves, the
birds are singing and a squirrel
is scampering up the tree outside
my kitchen window as I write. We have been strengthened
in recent weeks by God’s Word
shared by our recent visiting
ministers: Our Elder Bro.
Wayne Banwart visited us for a
Wednesday evening service. We
appreciated his message and the
summary of the Winter Elder
Conference and Elder Forums.
We also were also blessed by Bro.
Kenneth Eisenmann (Sis.Sharon,
Cissna Park), Bro. Dan Beer (Sis.
Deb, Milford), Bro. John Rowell (
Sis. Zelda, Tremont), and Bro. Jeff
Leman (Sis. Val, Bluffton North).
Ministers scheduled: 3/22:
Sabetha, 4/5 Indianapolis and
Princeville.
Our congregation has been so
blessed by Bro. George and Sis.
Evelyn Ringger as they have been
worshipping with us in Austin for
several weeks. The church enjoyed
a potluck on 3/15 as we wished
them a fond farewell. We have a new baby to love
and welcome in Austin. Bro. Scott
and Sis. Rachel Hartzler have a
new son, named John Grady, born
March 6. He has a big brother,
Acts 17:21 “For all the Athenians
and strangers which were there spent
their time in nothing else, but either
to tell, or to hear some new thing.”
The Philadelphia church was
thankful that ministering Bro.
Bill Wettstein (Eureka) could be
with us this month. He reminded
us that we do not need to be
searching for any “new thing” but
can appreciate the Word and other
gifts that God has given us.
May God bless Him for taking
the time to be with us and for
His encouragements.
Tennessee, Nashville
Mike and Monica Fritz
We have been strengthened
and encouraged by the Living
Word shared by our recent visiting
ministers: Bros. Justin Koch (Sis.
Marcia, Washington, IL), Dana
Indermuhle (Sis. Joy, Sardis),
John Bradle (Sis. Jill, Roanoke),
and Dale Stoller (Sis. Sandra,
Fairbury). We have also been
blessed by the fellowship of visitors
from Fairbury and Forrest, IL;
Bluffton and Francesville, IN; and
Oakville-Mediapolis, IA.
If you are traveling to or
through the Nashville area, please
plan to worship with us. Please
contact us ahead of time to confirm
our schedule. Contact Bro. Don
& Sis. Faye Sauder, 615.373.8928;
Bro. Mike & Sis. Monica Fritz,
615-866-5543, fritzmb.family@
gmail.com; or Bro. Buck & Sis.
Taunia Henry, 615.920.9584.
Candy Meiss
Jesse, and sisters, Summer and
Lexi to welcome him home.
Our prayers are with our minister,
Bro. Dennis Rassi and his wife,
Sis. Diane, who bid an earthly
farewell to his mother, Sis. Lydia
Rassi (Tremont). May God
comfort your hearts and grant
you peace in the hope of a great
reunion someday! We are so thankful for our
visitors and encourage everyone
passing through to stop and
worship with us! Please refer
to the minister’s directory for
directions and contacts.
Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth
Services are generally being
held the second Sunday of each
month at the Holiday Inn Express,
4450 W John Carpenter Freeway,
Irving TX. Please call ahead to
verify. Leland and Mary Plattner
956-265-0351 or Dennis & Diane
Rassi 512-321-2345.
McAllen, Texas
Kristi Plattner
The Lord again has well
provided for us through the
ministry of Bro. Greg (Sis. Denise
Fehr, West Bend, IA) and Bro.
Todd Stoller (Sis. Pam, Latty,
OH). May God Richly bless them
for all their efforts.
We welcome anyone coming
to South Texas and ask that you
inform us of your plans so that
we can prepare for meals and
fellowship. Services are scheduled
in the next coming weeks would
be Forrest 3-29, Washington 4-12,
Fairbury 4-19 and Mansfield 4-26.
We really appreciated all of
our winter visitors this year as
some have already left back home.
Occasionally there is a
schedule change. If you plan to
be with us on Sunday, please
verify the date by calling the
Plattner’s at 956-607-8329 or you
may access www.acmission.org
and view the updated minister
rotation schedule.
Sunday services are held at
10:30 and 12:30 at the Holiday
Inn Express, 1921 South 10th St.
Take the 10th Street Exit off I-83
and go 1½ blocks south. Please
see the ministers’ directory for
local contact information.
Texas, Zapata
Mary Plattner
We have enjoyed our winter
visitors this year in Zapata and
thank them all for including us
in their travel plans this winter
season. Nearly all have returned to
their homes in the Midwest.
We were thankful to have Bro.
John Rowell (Nelda) Burlington
for a Wednesday evening service.
Our minister Bro. Tom (Joann)
Schrenk has returned home and
we thank them for their many
years of service here in Zapata.
Their willingness to preach God’s
word is appreciated.
Bro. Don Sauder had an
extended stay in the hospital,
but we are glad to have him back
home again and doing well. May
God continue to provide strength
and healing.
If you are coming to South Texas
this summer, please notify us since
we often travel to one of the other
Texas Churches for the weekend
during the summer months. We
welcome anyone coming to visit us.
Vermont, Clarendon
Nathan and Miriam Reutter
After a long deep-freeze
that saw maybe one or two days
above freezing since Christmas,
we recently saw several days with
temperatures above the freezing
mark. The birds are starting to
reappear. We feel spring is just
around the corner. Its arrival is
anticipated greatly.
Brethren, especially visiting
minsters, are also much anticipated
and appreciated. We were
privileged this month to have three:
Bro. Duane (Sis. Kay) Reutter, Bro.
Jeff (Sis. Carole) Gerber, and Bro.
Tom (Sis. LaNae) Bahler. These
three brothers and their wives
are from the Rockville, CT and
frequent our garrison of the Lord in
northern New England.
You are welcome to worship
and fellowship with us anytime.
Contact Bro. Nathan and Sis.
Miriam Reutter at 802-447-2426
or [email protected] to let
us know when you are planning
to be in our area so we can
accommodate you.
Service times are as follows:
• Mid-week services
(Contact local brethren)
• Sunday Morning Service:
10:10 AM
• Sunday Afternoon Service:
12:15 PM
• Sunday school held during
the morning service.
April 2015
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The News & Notices section of The Silver Lining provides a way for qualifying non-profit entities to make the brotherhood aware of church-related events,
opportunities, needs, and services that would be of special interest to Apostolic Christian Church of America members and regular attendees. Email us at
[email protected] for a copy of our advertising policy, which specifies who may advertise, sizes, file formats and deadlines.
Congregation
Updates
News & Notices
Alternate Houseparent Needed - Gateway Woods
Houseparenting at Gateway Woods offers an opportunity for a couple, directed of the Lord, to come to
work in a full-time on going ministry at Gateway Woods. Due to a change in staff, we have a need for an
Alternate Houseparent couple. This position offers competitive wages and generous benefits and a close
relationship with brothers and sisters whose hearts and lives are dedicated to a common mission with an
eternal reward. If you feel the call to explore this possibility, please call one of the brothers listed below.
Clint PlattnerLynn Stieglitz
Residential Program Manager
Counseling Elder
PO Box 12515417 Doty Rd.
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell: 260.466.6712
[email protected]@gmail.com
Christian Guesthouse and Worship Services in Rochester, MN
Accommodations for Mayo Clinic outpatients and families:
Three bedrooms with private baths, laundry, kitchen and family room area.
Sunday Service: (held monthly at guesthouse residence) 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM
For schedule, see: www.acmission.org/minister-rotation
For information and reservations, contact caretakers:
Bro. Mark and Sis. Sandy Stork
4733 Birdie Lane NW
Rochester, MN 55901
(507) 288-0072
Mid-week Service: (held on 3rd Wednesday in Rochester area)
For information, contact:
Bro. Jim and Sis. Deb Tilbury
(507) 281-2875
46
Announcing Tennessee Fellowship Memorial Day Weekend
May 23-24, 2015
Why is it important to be a bold ambassador for Christ and how can we do this? Attend this year’s
Tennessee/Alabama Fellowship Weekend on May 23-24, 2015 to learn more on this topic through talks
by Elder Bro. Kent Heimer (Taylor, MO) and Ministering Bro. Tim Drayer (Bluffton North, IN). In
addition to coming boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need
(Hebrews 4:16), God also gives help in Ephesians 6:13 when he encourages us to put on the whole armor
to withstand in the evil day.
To start the weekend, an auction is planned at the Tennessee Fellowship Area starting at 2 p.m.
After that, enjoy fellowshipping or strolling around the lake before supper at 6 p.m. In the evening,
congregational and special group singing and one speaker is planned. On Sunday, worship with the
Athens congregation beginning at 10 a.m. Afternoon activities resume at the Fellowship area at 3:30
p.m. and include singing, fellowship and the second speaker. For the auction, donated items will be
greatly appreciated.
If you are in the Central Illinois area and would be interested in riding a bus to the Tennessee Fellowship
Area from Morton, IL, please contact Bro. Andy or Sis. Jayne Sauder at (309)263-9965 or e-mail them at
[email protected].
Plan to attend this uplifting weekend filled with spiritual insights, fellowship and singing to glorify God.
Reservations for overnight accommodations can be made at the hotels listed below. Additionally, there
are electric and water hookups for campers at the fellowship area. Please contact Sis. Becky Roberts at the
informaion listed below for more information. If any standing choirs, quartets or ensembles are interested
in attending the 2015 weekend, please contact Bro. Phil Witzig as listed below.
For questions, please contact any of the coordinators below. Also, please RSVP to any of the following
names before Friday, May 8:
Bro. Roger or Sis. Becky Roberts - 931.309.9335 or 309.208.5590 or [email protected]
Bro. Phil or Cindy Witzig - 309.263.0152 or [email protected]
Bro. Mark or Sis. Rebekah Klaus - 256.777.7777 or [email protected]
Bro. Matthew or Sis. Kristy Moore - [email protected]
Sis. Gwen Leuthold - 615.969.0958 or [email protected]
Bro. Tom or Sis. Sue Waldbeser - 770.463.4788 or [email protected]
Athens, Alabama Area Hotels:
Best Western (256)233-4030
Days Inn (800)329-7466 Sleep Inn (256)232-4700
Travel Inn (256)232-2704
Fairfield Inn (256)233-4530
Quality Inn (800)424-6423 Hampton Inn (256)232-2377
Super 8 (256)233-1446
Holiday Inn Express (800)465-4329
April 2015
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Home-Based & Adoption Case Worker Needed – Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods has a need for a full-time Home-Based & Adoption Case Worker. This position provides
the opportunity to work partially with adoptive families and partially with hurting children and families
in our Home-Based Program. Requires a Bachelors Degree in Social Work or a related field, experience
working with children and families preferred.
Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
Contact one of the brothers below for more information concerning this position.
Jeff WaibelLynn Stieglitz
Director of Clinical Services
Counseling Elder
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell:260.466.6712
Counselor Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods has a need for a full-time Counselor. This position provides the opportunity to work
directly with struggling children and families in need of help and guidance. Requires a Master’s Degree
in social work, psychology, or counseling from an accredited college or university.
Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children. Contact one
of the brothers below for more information concerning this position.
Jeff WaibelLynn Stieglitz
Director of Clinical Services
Counseling Elder
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell:260.466.6712
Light from the Word
Now available by downloadable PDF from the Apostolic Christian Publication website:
www.acpublications.org
After entering the website, click on the item located at the left hand frame entitled, “Light from the Word
Reprints”. The entire set of editorials are available in a complete download (June 1987 to current).
48
Caretaker Needed for Tennessee Fellowship Area
With the planned relocation of the current caretakers, Bro. Roger and Sis. Becky Roberts and their
family, in May 2015, the TN Fellowship Board of Directors is seeking to fill the position of Caretaker for
this property which includes a two-acre lake. For those who may consider God’s call to this work, this
is a fulfilling opportunity to care for this property, support the Athens, Alabama church and spread the
Gospel into the surrounding communities.
Position Description
As caretakers, the couple or family would live in the property apartment, which can comfortably
accommodate 2-6 people. In addition to keeping up the apartment, they would also be responsible for:
• Grounds Keeping – primarily mowing the grass, weeding flower beds and spraying weeds.
• Lake Richard Maintenance – feeding the fish, chemical administration for moss and algae and aerator maintenance.
• Preparation, hosting (as applicable) and cleanup for activities held on the property annually including Memorial Day Weekend and Homecoming Weekend.
Desired Personal Qualities
• Servant Heart – willingness to serve as a caretaker and support a smaller Apostolic Christian Church in Athens, Alabama.
• Enjoy working outside.
• Integrity – demonstrate high spiritual standards and be a committed Christ-follower.
For More Information Contact:
Tom Waldbeser, TN Fellowship Board and Elder of the Athens church
Phone: 678.416.6586 Email: [email protected]
Phil Witzig, TN Fellowship Board President
Mark Klaus, TN Fellowship Board and Athens Church Minister
About the Tennessee Fellowship Area / Athens Church
The Tennessee Fellowship Area is a place where Apostolic Christian people can come from across the
nation to worship God in a quiet country setting, enjoy fellowship and/or hold events. In all activities,
our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, are to be honored. In addition to Memorial Day
Weekend activities (that have occurred for 22 years) and Homecoming, the area is also used for picnics and
fishing. Families traveling in the area can also stay overnight using camping facilities and RV hookups.
The Athens Apostolic Christian Church is located approximately a half-hour south of the property.
The property and the church are located in the Bible Belt where Southern hospitality abounds. The
church is also home to the Athens, AL Preschool.
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Education Intern Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods is in need of a Education Intern for the summer. The Education Intern position offers the
opportunity to grow deep relationships with Gateway Woods Staff, as well as the chance to grow as a teacher
and spend a significant amount of one-on-one time with residents. If you feel the call to explore the possibilities
and to have a positive impact in the lives of residents this summer, please call one of the brothers listed below:
Adam McAfeeLynn Stieglitz
Director of Education
Counseling Elder
PO Box 125,
15417 Doty Rd.
Leo, IN 46765New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283260.466.6712
Summer Volunteer Coordinator Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods is currently searching for a Summer Volunteer Coordinator. The Summer Volunteer
Coordinator position offers the opportunity to grow deep relationships with fellow volunteers as well as
Gateway Woods Staff and residents. If you feel the call to explore the possibilities, please call one of the
brothers listed below:
Clint PlattnerLynn Stieglitz
Residential Program Manager
Counseling Elder
PO Box 125,
15417 Doty Rd.
888.443.4283260.466.6712
Top Quality Coordinator Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods is in need of a Top Quality Coordinator for the summer. The Top Quality Coordinator
position offers the opportunity to grow deep relationships with Gateway Woods Staff and summer
volunteers, as well as the chance to spend a significant amount of one-on-one time with residents. If you
feel the call to explore the possibilities and to have play a role in a group of residents lives this summer,
please call one of the brothers listed below:
Adam McAfeeLynn Stieglitz
Director of Education
Counseling Elder
PO Box 125,
15417 Doty Rd.
888.443.4283260.466.6712
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March 2015
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LARC Services Coordinator Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods has an opening for a brother or sister to manage our LARC (Linking to Attain
Responsibility and Community) Services Program. We are seeking someone who desires to serve in a
ministry that serves troubled and broken children and families. The LARC Services Coordinator is a key
full-time position that offers the opportunity to create and manage connections between youth transition
to independence and partners in the community. If you have strong organizational, interpersonal and
relationship building skills, please contact one of the brothers listed below for more information and a
job description.
Ed GrafLynn Stieglitz
Executive DirectorCounseling Elder
888.443.4283Cell:260.466.6712
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Bible Distribution: Sharing His Word in Love
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. Psalm 96:3
Together we can provide Bibles for seeking people. This may be someone you attend school with,
someone you work with, or someone God has shown you at a gas station. Bibles and approved Bible story
Books are available. Carrying a New Testament to distribute can help you remember what our real task
is. To order, contact: Apostolic Christian Church Bible Distribution
651 E. Peoria Street
Goodfield, IL 61742
Phone: 309-965-2141 [email protected]
9th Annual Midwest Gospel Sing, Saturday, April 25, 2015
Five Points, Washington, IL
Congregational Singing 5:45pm
Program 6:00 - 8:30pm
The Midwest Gospel Sing is an evening of worship and fellowship. We will enjoy some congregational
singing, listening to a few groups of singers, and hearing a testimony from a family who has been touched
by the Home for the Handicapped.
In lieu of an admission fee, a free will offering will be collected to support the Apostolic Christian Home
for the Handicapped.
Live too far away to attend? You can still be a part! We will be hosting a live internet streaming of the
event that evening. Go to our website (www.midwestgospelsing.org) prior to the start of the program
and click on the Watch Live button.
Interested in receiving a printed
sermon?
Used Bible, Bible Story Book,
and Song Book Distribution
To order, contact:
Printed Sermons
P.O. Box 154, Forrest, IL 61741
(815) 848-5113 • [email protected]
Used Bibles, Bible Story Books, Hymns of Zion,
Zion’s Harp, Gospel Hymns, and Tabernacle
Hymns are needed. AC Publications is now the
collection center for your donated books.
651 E. Peoria St, Goodfield, IL 61742
52
515 E. Highland Street, Morton, IL 61550 • Tel: (309) 263-5536 Fax: (309) 263-6841 •
www.accounseling.org
ACCFS has numerous resources which have been developed to assist couples in their marital relationship.
From our premarital program, Preparing for a Great Marriage, to our Foundations for a Loving Marriage
seminar to our Nurturing a Great Marriage enrichment program, these resources are geared for every
stage and level of need within a marriage. Please visit our website at www.accounseling.org or contact our
office at 309-263-5536 for more information.
NOW ADDING NEW CHURCHES
CENTRAL
Apostolic Christian Central
a new church-operated system
for accessing sermons
The system includes:
• Mobile apps
• Online database of sermons
• Embedded players for your congregation’s
website
Through an agreement with Route24 Computers,
AC Central will soon be replacing
AC Sermon Streamer. The transition is underway.
Ready to join the AC Central system?
Have questions about it?
Want to learn more?
Go to: apostolicchristian.org/sermons
April 2015
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Medical Director Needed at Hospital Lumiere
If you are a licensed physician
with a God-inspired desire
to provide medical care and
leadership in an under-served
part of Haiti, this may be the
opportunity of a lifetime.
The Need
A licensed physician is needed to
replace our Medical Director, Dr.
Lee Klopfenstein, when his term is
completed in 2016.
To fill this full-time position, one
must have a U.S. medical license,
be Board-Certified in some aspect
of medicine or surgery, be a Believer
in Jesus Christ, have experience
a team of excellent Haitian physicians and surgeons, and oversight of
the nursing, laboratory, radiology
and pharmacy departments of this
120-bed full-service hospital and
out-patient facility.
For more information contact:
Robert Beebe
Executive Director
[email protected]
574-276-6748
in leadership and management,
be capable of learning the Creole
language, and be willing to reside
with your family on the Hospital
Lumiere campus for up to five
years. The position involves leading
www.acworldrelief.org
Summer Internships Available – Home for the Handicapped
The Home for the Handicapped is beginning a summer internship program for college age students
interested in pursuing a number of various careers. Possible areas of interest include social work,
accounting, nursing, activities, maintenance management, and human resources. This would be a
tremendous opportunity to learn more about the vision and mission of ACHH, be used in God’s service,
and gain unique experience to aid in your future career. The program is flexible, so whether you are
interested in investing two weeks, two months, or anything in between, we would love to hear from you.
Accommodations and lodging may be available. If you have an interest, please contact:
Jeremiah Psinas
Human Resource Manager
2125 Veterans Rd.
Morton, IL 61550
309-266-9781
[email protected]
54
Patient Care Manager Needed at Hospital Lumiere
H
ospital Lumiere is seeking
a qualified person to be
assigned as Patient Care Manager
of the hospital in Bonne Fin, Haiti.
This is full-time position.
to learn the Creole language, be a
member of the Apostolic Christian
Church and be willing to relocate
to Haiti for a term of up to 5 years.
For more information contact:
Robert Beebe
Executive Director
[email protected]
574-276-6748
Description
The duties of Patient Care Manager
include planning, supervising
& training employees and
coordinating & implementing
programs of nursing care for all
hospital patients.
Requirements
Applicants should hold an RN
degree and have at least 3 years
of nursing experience, some
management capability, be able
Give a Child Hope
Child Sponsorships
T
To sponsor a child
hose in the child sponsorship program have several things in common. They are very poor, desire to learn
and they have an undying soul.
To sponsor a student fill out this form
and send to the office. A student will
be assigned to you and you will be sent
further information.
The goal of this
program is to
provide an education to help
these children
learn life skills to improve their standard of living, and also to provide
spiritual training to address the true
need...the need for a knowledge of
and a personal relationship with God
through Jesus Christ.
Name _________________________
And all thy children shall be taught of
the Lord; and great shall be the peace
of thy children. IsaIah 54:13
Mr.
Mrs.
Miss
Spouse ________________________
Address _______________________
City ____________St ___ Zip _____
Home Ph ______________________
Cell Ph ________________________
Email _________________________
Please check preference:
Haiti
Guatemala
Jamaica
Mexico
Zambia
Wherever needed
If possible I would prefer:
Boy – Age
Girl – Age
No Preference
Cost: $30.00/month
For details: www.acworldrelief.org
Send to:
ACWR Child Sponsorship
PO Box 36
Morton, IL 61550
Phone: 309-266-6080
Fax: 309-266-5281
E-mail: [email protected]
April 2015
SILVER LINING
55
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Feb 7-14
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Eye Speciality
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Mar 7-14
8
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Cancer Screening
[email protected]
Project
Project
Bonne
Finn, Haiti
Year11-18
2014 Lydia
Coordinator
Apr
Bertschi
Aug 9-16
Capacity
8
Lydia
Bertschi
309-467-6110
Hospital
Lumiere
Inventory
Team
309-467-6110
[email protected]
Inventory Team
[email protected]
8
Bonne Finn, Haiti
May 9-16
Lydia Bertschi
8
Bonne
Finn,
Haiti
Hospital
Lumiere
Sept 13-20 Lydia
Bertschi
309-467-6110
8
Hospital
Lumiere
Dental Team
309-467-6110
[email protected]
Cancer Screening
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Jun 13-20
Lydia Bertschi
Haiti Medical
Work
Oct 11-18 Lydia
BertschiTeams
309-467-6110
Bonne
Finn,
Haiti
Hospital
Lumiere
Hospital
Lumiere
Cancer Screening
8
8
309-467-6110
[email protected]
Dental
Team
Project
Year 2015 [email protected]
Coordinator
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Jul 11-18
Bonne
Finn,
Haiti
Hospital
Lumiere
Nov 8-15
Capacity
Lydia Bertschi
8
Lydia
Bertschi
309-467-6110
8
Hospital
Lumiere
Medical Team
309-467-6110
[email protected]
Nursing Proficiencies
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Aug 8-15
Lydia Bertschi
8
Bonne
Finn,
Haiti
Hospital
Lumiere
Dec 13-20
Lydia
Bertschi
309-467-6110
8
Hospital
Lumiere
Inventory
Team
309-467-6110
[email protected]
General Medical
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Sept 12-19 Lydia Bertschi
8
Project
Hospital Lumiere
Year 2015 Coordinator
309-467-6110
Capacity
Bonne
Haiti
CancerFinn,
Screening
Jan 10-17
Hospital Lumiere
Inventory
Team
Bonne Finn,
Haiti
Oct 10-17
[email protected]
Lydia Bertschi
Feb 7-14
Lydia
Bertschi
[email protected]
Nov 7-14
[email protected]
Lydia Bertschi
Lydia
Bertschi
[email protected]
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Dec 12-19 [email protected]
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
Apr 11-18
Lydia
Bertschi
[email protected]
309-467-6110
Inventory Team
[email protected]
May 9-16
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Dental Team
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Jun 13-20
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Cancer Screening
[email protected]
56
Co-Ordinator
8
8
Hospital Lumiere
Project
Maintenance/Painting
Capacity
8
8
8
10
Capacity
Year 2015
Co-Ordinator
[email protected]
Hospital
HospitalLumiere
Lumiere
Mar
Apr 21-28
25 - May 2
David
DavidZimmerman
Zimmerman
[email protected]
[email protected]
10
10
Hospital
HospitalLumiere
Lumiere
Construction
Apr
- May 2
Jun 25
20-27
David
DavidZimmerman
Zimmerman
[email protected]
[email protected]
10
10
Hospital
HospitalLumiere
Lumiere
Construction
Electrical
Jun
20-27
Jul 18-25
David
DavidZimmerman
Zimmerman
[email protected]
[email protected]
104
Hospital
HospitalLumiere
Lumiere
Electrical
Plumbing
Jul
18-25
Aug
22-29
David
DavidZimmerman
Zimmerman
[email protected]
[email protected]
44
Hospital
HospitalLumiere
Lumiere
Plumbing
Construction
Aug
Oct 22-29
3-10
David
DavidZimmerman
Zimmerman
[email protected]
[email protected]
4
10
Hospital
HospitalLumiere
Lumiere
Construction
Oct
Nov3-10
28 - Dec 5
David
DavidZimmerman
Zimmerman
[email protected]
[email protected]
10
10
Hospital Lumiere
Nov 28 - Dec 5
David Zimmerman
[email protected]
10
Haiti Awareness Tours
If you’d like to see the ministry of Hospital
Lumière and other Haiti projects in person, but
do not have the time or desire to participate
in a week-long work team, please consider our
new Awareness Tours. These are quick trips
that give interested parties the opportunity to
meet our missionary families, learn more about
the hospital, see the completed renovations
and work in process, and visit some of the
other World Relief projects in southern Haiti.
These trips are scheduled, as needed, based upon
demand and the next one is Sept. 12-16, 2015.
309-467-6110
Hospital Lumiere
Bonne Finn, Haiti
8
309-467-6110
Bonne
Finn,
Haiti
Mar 7-14
Nursing
Proficiencies
Bonne
Finn,
Haiti
General
Medical
8
309-467-6110
Hospital Lumiere
Cancer
Screening
Bonne Finn,
Haiti
8
309-467-6110
Hospital Lumiere
Eye
Speciality
Bonne
Finn, Haiti
8
309-467-6110
Hospital Lumiere
Bonne
DentalFinn,
TeamHaiti
Lydia
Bertschi
[email protected]
Year 2015
Haiti Work Mar
Teams
Lumiere
21-28 for Hospital
David Zimmerman
Haiti Medical Work Teams
Bonne
Finn,
Haiti
Hospital
Lumiere
Haiti Work Teams for Hospital Lumiere
8
To learn more, contact:
Rich Bertschi at 309.467.2351
or [email protected]
Rick Wuethrich at 219.863.4163
or [email protected]
Construction
[email protected]
Les Cayes
AWA
Water Aid
Mar 6-‐13
Maurice Schaefer
309-‐253-‐9003
[email protected]
4
Les Cayes
Mar 27 -‐ Apr 3 Rich Bertschi
MEBSH/Roanoke
309-‐467-‐2351
Construction
Haiti Work Teams -‐ Les [email protected]
12
Les Cayes
Project
MEBSH
Haiti Support
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Les Cayes Lumiere
Construction
MEBSH
Maintenance
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Apr 15-‐20
Jon Zeller
Year 2014 309-‐266-‐9009
Coordinator
Sept 27-‐Oct [email protected]
Daryl Luginbuhl
Apr 20-‐27
Capacity
12
[email protected]
Jon Zeller
12
Magdalena
May 24 - May 30 Jeremy Ebert
Construction
Phoenix Bible Class
602-653-0470
[email protected]
Rockville
309-‐266-‐9009
[email protected]
Daryl Luginbuhl
Oct 18-‐25
Jamaica Work Teams
Hospital Lumiere
[email protected]
Project
Year 2015
Coordinator
Capacity
JDV
May 22-30
Mark Lindberg
40
Construction
CCCD
Les Cayes
SEED
JDV
Agricultural
CCCD
Nov 13-‐21
Jun 27-04
815-641-9065
[email protected]
Art Mueller
8
608-‐676-‐4365
Harvey Landis
Akron SS
[email protected]
330-466-8274
Rittman SS
[email protected]
Les ayes
Nov 14-‐ 21a workMaurice Schaefer
If C
you
are interested in sponsoring
team to Jamaica
contact Loren Dettwyler at [email protected]
AWA
309-‐253-‐9003
Water Aid
[email protected]
Les Cayes
MEBSH
Haiti Support
Nov 19-‐24
Les Cayes
Haiti Trade Schools
Vocational School
Nov 28 -‐ Dec 5 Andy Getz
Les Cayes
MEBSH/Bluffton
Construction
Dec 5 -‐12
Mike Rokey
Bern Bible Class
785-284-3855
[email protected]
Magdalena
Jun 13 - 20
Construction
Jon Baner
309-532-9435
[email protected]
Magdalena
Jun 20 - 27
Construction
Kevin Gutwein
Indianpolis Bible Class
765-427-0697
[email protected]
Juarez
Medical
Cheryl Herrmann
[email protected]
4
Jon Zeller
309-‐266-‐9009
[email protected]
ACWR-‐CC
4
574-870-5046
[email protected]
Year 2015
Magdalena
May 30 - Jun 6
Construction
Smithville SS
Lane Gerber
260-‐241-‐4099
[email protected]
12
Simone Orphanage Dec 26 -‐ Jan 2 Rick Wuethrich
Francesville-‐Father/Son
219-‐863-‐4163
Construction
[email protected]
Project Mexico Work Teams
ACWR-‐CC
Coordinator
12
Capacity
Les Cayes
MEBSH/Ohio
Construction
Jan 2-‐9
Ron Palitto
330-‐336-‐5373
[email protected]
12
Les Cayes
AWA
Water Aid
Jan 9-‐16
Maurice Schaefer
309-‐253-‐9003
[email protected]
4
Les Cayes
MEBSH/Silverton
Construction
Jan 30-‐Feb 6
Richard Kraft
12
503-‐364-‐3103
[email protected]
TIME TO PRAY
Les Cayes
Feb 6-‐13
Andy Getz
Acts
Haiti Trade 3:1
Schools
574-870-5046
Vocational S
chool
[email protected]
The Jews had set times of
prayer, but the
Sept 9 – 15
Questions? Contact Mike Fiechter [email protected]
260-597-7330 4
clear teaching (and example) of the New Testament is that
at12all times. Our lives should be one long running
Les Cayes
Feb 26-‐Mar Larry Kof
aufmann
believers
are to
be
in a6 spirit
prayerfulness
SEED
815-‐716-‐6018
conversation with the Father.
Scripture
Command
Romans 1:9-10
“Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God.”
Ephesians 6:18
“Pray at all times and on every occasion. . . . be persistent in your prayers
for all Christians everywhere.”
Colossians 1:3
“We always pray for you.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2
“We . . . pray for you constantly.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13
“We will never stop thanking God.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Keep on praying.”
2 Timothy 1:3
“Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.”
April 2015
SILVER LINING
57
Apostolic Christian Men’s Hymn Sing
Washington, IL
August 29 & 30, 2015
Lord willing, the Washington congregation will be hosting the 2015 Apostolic Christian Men’s Hymn
Sing. We are looking forward to a blessed weekend of singing and fellowship. We have been blessed with
a rich heritage of hymn singing, and our goal for the weekend is to glorify God through song as well as
record a CD that will be uplifting for many in the future.
The website www.acmensing.com has been updated, and will be the main source of information about the
Men’s Sing and will also be used as the preferred method for sending out further communications. From
the website, you are able to register, get directions, see the schedule of activities, view the music, and much
more. Please bookmark this site, create an account, and register for the Men’s Sing.
If you plan to attend, please register by July 1, 2015 so we can accurately prepare for meals and
accommodations. Please also spread this communication to any other brothers interested. It would also be
helpful if there was a designated brother from each church who could keep us updated on the number of
brothers attending from your church. If you are unable to access the internet, you may write or call:
Matt Wyss
216 W. Robinson St.
Goodfield, IL 61742
Phone: 309-397-5919
Email: [email protected]
50-Year Commemoration of Fairbury Apostolic Christian Church
August 29 & 30, 2015
If you have previously attended the Fairbury Church, you are cordially invited to attend a
commemoration in recognition of 50 years since our current church building was erected and dedicated.
Saturday, 6:30 P.M. at FAIRBURY FELLOWSHIP HALL
Singing and Historical Presentation
Sunday, 10:00 A.M. at FAIRBURY APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Worship services 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Light meal served immediately following afternoon service
PLEASE REPLY BY JULY 15 if you plan to attend the Saturday program, come to worship with us
on Sunday, stay for the meal, and/or need overnight accommodations.
Contact: Duane and Arlene Kilgus: [email protected], (815) 692-2589 or (815) 848-2589
58
Volunteer Caretakers Needed – Washington, D.C.
The Washington, DC church caretaker program is entering its eighth year. It has been such a blessing for
our visiting caretakers as well as our local members and friends. We are taking reservations for 2016. Our
church home is located in Silver Spring, MD, and meets both church and residential needs.
The fellowship that caretakers provide is vital to our small congregation and visiting ministers. Caretakers
can be couples, singles or families who would enjoy spending time near the Nation’s Capitol and other
points of interest on the East Coast. Caretakers would perform routine household and yard maintenance
chores, and should plan to stay at least three Sundays.
Families with children are urged to give this opportunity prayerful consideration. We have three children
(pre-teen and teen), who would welcome other children in their Sunday School class.
For more information, please contact:
Barry and Doreen Steffen
Phone: 302-540-6574
Email: [email protected].
Teacher Needed – Athens Preschool
There is currently a teaching position available at the Apostolic Christian Preschool in Athens, AL. We are
looking for a preschool teacher who is willing to start in June of 2015. This is a wonderful opportunity to
support one of our smaller congregations.
This is a paid position with medical benefits. Church housing is available. Applicants must be at least 19
years old and be a member of the Apostolic Christian Church. Basic computer skills are necessary.
If you have questions contact Sis. Kalla Knobloch at (309) 231-1755.
You may also e-mail your resume to [email protected].
Thank you for your prayerful consideration!
April 2015
SILVER LINING
59
GREAT ESCAPES IN THE BIBLE
Acts 9:23
60
Who
Reference What happened
escaped
What the escape
accomplished
Application
Jacob
Genesis
31:1-55
Fled from his
father-in-law, Laban,
after almost 20 years of
service
Allowed Jacob to return
home for Isaac’s death
and for reconciliation
with Esau, his brother
A time away from home
often puts the really
important things into
perspective
Moses
Exodus
2:11-15
Fled Egypt after killing
an Egyptian in defense
of a fellow Israelite
Saved his own life and
began another part of
God’s training
God fits even our
mistakes into his plan
Israelites Exodus
12:28-42
Escaped Egypt after
430 years, most of that
time in slavery
God confirmed his
choice of Abraham’s
descendants
God will not forget his
promises
Spies
Joshua
2:1-24
Escaped searchers in
Jericho by hiding in
Rahab’s house
Prepared the
destruction of Jericho
and preserved Rehab,
who would become one
of David’s
ancestors—as well as
an ancestor of Jesus
God’s plan weaves
lives together in a
pattern beyond our
understanding
Ehud
Judges
3:15-30
Escaped undetected
after assassinating the
Moabite king Eglon
Broke the control of
Moab over Israel and
began 80 years of
peace
Punishments by God
are often swift and
deadly
Samson
Judges
16:1-3
Escaped a locked city
by ripping the gates
from their hinges
Merely postponed
Samson’s
self-destruction
because of his lack of
self-control
Without dependence
on God and his
guidance, even great
ability is wasted
Elijah
1 Kings
19:1-18
Fled into the wilderness Preserved Elijah’s life
out of fear of Queen
but also displayed his
Jezebel
human weakness
Even at moments of
real success, our
personal weaknesses
are our greatest
challenges
Saul
(Paul)
Acts
9:23-25
Lowered over the wall
Saved this new
in a basket to get out of Christian for great
Damascus
service to God
God has a purpose for
every life, which leads
to a real adventure for
those willing to
cooperate
Peter
Acts
12:1-11
Freed from prison by
an angel
Saved Peter for God’s
further plans for his life
Who
Reference
escaped
What happened
What the escape
accomplished
God can use
extraordinary means to
carry out his
plan—often when we
Application
least expect it
Paul and Acts
Silas
16:22-40
Chains loosened and
doors opened by an
earthquake, but they
chose not to leave the
prison
Pointed out the
powerlessness of
humans before God
When our dependence
and attention are
focused on God rather
than our problems, he
is able to offer help in
unexpected ways
Continued Articles
...Triangular...
— Continued from pg. 9
side of love is weak, a couple may
be in a serious crisis because the
foundation of the marriage is
threatened. If a spouse tries to
get his/her
needs met in
unhealthy
and
unbiblical
ways, he/
she may
seek fulfillment elsewhere through
fantasy or extramarital affairs.
The triangle below shows the
unbalanced shape of “counterfeit
love” that occurs in an affair,
displaying high “pseudo-intimacy”
and “pseudo-passion” countered
with very little commitment.
Example Three: If the
Commitment and trust between
husband and wife has been
damaged by hurtful choices and
actions, both Emotional Intimacy
and Passion will suffer greatly.
Likewise, it is very important
for trust, safety, affection, and
friendship to be built first before
the openness of the Passionate
side of the relationship can be
experienced as God designed it.
Example Four: Dry Marriages
– Low Intimacy and Low Passion
with High Commitment. An
unfortunately common triangle
arrangement is one in which
Commitment is high but
Emotional Intimacy and Passion
are low. These couples may have
been together for years, but
may barely know how to have a
conversation together about their
relationship. They are married
out of
“duty”
and they
stay
married because of Commitment.
Even though they are committed
to staying married, they are
missing much of what God
designed their marriage to be.
Triangle 3: An Integrated
Christian Model of Love
Triangle three is a composite
showing Triangles 1 and 2
superimposed onto each other. This
model shows that a husband and
wife who share Commitment for
each other (and who are growing
together towards God) will be able
to experience Emotional Intimacy
and Passion for each other (and for
God). In a relational sense, they
have deepening commitment and
trust with each other, a growing
friendship and show affection to
each other, and they experience
excitement and desire for each
other. In a spiritual sense, they
have deepening commitment and
maturity of their faith, a growing
relationship with Christ, and a
feeling of excitement about what
God has done for them and what
He can do for others.
While Commitment is
something that one spouse can
do alone, both spouses must work
together to deepen Emotional
Intimacy and Passion. Emotional
Intimacy is one of the easiest parts of
a marriage to neglect. Couples must
protect and take time to nurture
their Emotional Intimacy side if
they want to have a healthy Passion
side. It is important for couples to
monitor and be aware of the shape
of their triangles at any given time.
Remember that perfectly balanced
triangles are the theoretical goal in
this model. Individual circumstances
and life transitions in each couple’s
relationship will cause unique
variations in the shape of their
triangle over time. Couples who
notice that a side of their triangle
needs attention can seek to bolster it
by building that side (and the other
sides) of their marriage. Maintaining
your individual relationship with
Christ is the best way to make sure
love in your marriage stays strong.
To read the full article, “A
Triangular Model of Love,” please visit
our website: www.accounseling.org
61
Continued Articles
Called to the
Righteousness
of Christ...
David’s example of this is
summarized in the beautiful
Psalm 51. He makes no excuse for
his sin, confessing it readily and
taking responsibility for it before
God (v. 3). He most of all regrets
his sin as an affront to God (v. 4)
poor and of a contrite spirit, and
and mourns the resulting loss of
trembleth at my word” (Isa. 66:2).
relationship with Him; desiring
This contriteness of heart leads for it to be restored (v. 12). He
to an honest appraisal of one’s
throws himself at the mercy of
brokenness before God. It springs
the righteous God, trusting in
from a respect and honor of His
His loving kindness and forgiving
holiness and recognizes that we are spirit (v. 1).
only made righteous through faith
God’s call to holiness is rooted
in the crucified and resurrected
in the nature of God. We are
Lord who shed His blood for our
taught, “as he which hath called you
justification and our sanctification. is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
It understands that the Christian
conversation; Because it is written,
is to reject sin—indeed that
Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pet.
we must abhor the exceeding
1:15-16). Indeed, we are called to
sinfulness of sin—and if a believer bear fruit that will be observed
sins, he acknowledges it and
by others, as Christ said in the
applies the Scriptural remedy. “If
Sermon on the Mount: “Let your
we confess our sins, he is faithful and light so shine before men, that they
just to forgive us our sins, and to
may see your good works, and glorify
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
your Father which is in heaven”
If we say that we have not sinned,
(Matt. 5:16). There is a stark
we make him a liar, and his word is contrast between an ostentatious
not in us” (1 John 1:9-10, 2:1-2).
display of self-righteousness and
62
the humble fruit-bearing through
which God is glorified.
As followers of Christ and true
disciples, to truly “grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet.
3:18), we must become more like
the Master. We do this by “looking
unto Jesus the author and finisher of
our faith; who for the joy that was
set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down
at the right hand of the throne of
God” (Heb. 12:2). Day by day we
put on the mind of Christ, who
“made himself of no reputation, and
took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of
men: And being found in fashion
as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even
the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:6-8).
Following the authentic and
genuine example of Christ we
will “be found in him, not having
(our) own righteousness, which
is of the law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by
faith.” (Phil. 3:9).
Bible studies...
To Not Be Overcome by Temptation
Luke 22:40
Scripture explains what to do to not be overcome by temptation.
Be assigned a Mentor
(optional) — Someone from
the BSDC will work with
you through the development
process. The mentor will seek
to maintain proper focus
on content and consistency
of style as questions and
guidance text are developed.
3. Submit for review — ACCFS
will be responsible to set and
maintain quality standards. This
will include an internal review
by staff members at ACCFS
with quality feedback on the
relevance and focus of content.
4. Pilot group (if appropriate)
— If the material is designed
for group studies, it should
be used by a pilot group who
will document group feedback
and recommended changes.
5. Publishing — A gifted
brother will format the
content in a professional
manner and make available
for purchase or download
from www.acpublications.org.
Reference
Lesson about temptation
Genesis 3
Satan wants to see all believers stumble
and will actively work to make it happen.
Genesis 39
When you are tempted, focus on your
relationship with God and obey him.
2 Samuel 11:2-4
Temptation will come at weak spots and
unexpected times.
Psalm 51:4
Temptation can lead to sin and its
consequences.
Proverbs 7:1-5
Avoid temptation by storing up God’s
commands in your heart.
Matthew 4:1-11
Combat temptation by using the Word of
God.
Matthew 6:13
God doesn’t lead us into temptation, but
sometimes he allows believers to be
tested by it.
Matthew 8:7-9
Being tempted is not a sin, but you must
not let temptation lead you into sin.
Matthew 26:40
Watch and pray to avoid falling into sin.
1 Corinthians 10:13
God will not allow temptations you cannot
handle.
1 Timothy 6:11-12
To avoid temptation, you must fight as in
a battle.
2 Timothy 2:22
At times you may need to turn and run
from temptation.
Hebrews 2:16-18
Because Jesus Christ was tempted, he
understands how you feel and knows how
to help you resist.
James 1:12-16
You sometimes cause your own
temptations.
James 4:7-8
Submit to God; resist the devil.
63
Monthly Sermon, continued
Paul also in Romans is
kind of examining why it is we
are saved by faith and why it
was that the children of Israel,
having received the law, tried
to accomplish righteousness
through works and not through
the justification of faith that
Abraham had experienced.
He says why was it that it was
necessary? He answers it with this
observation. He says it must be
by faith that it might be by grace,
and in us the only way to receive
the blessings is through faith so
that God, Christ Jesus, and the
riches of His grace might be able
to be that which ultimately causes
men to praise God. (Romans
4:16) He says here “to the praise
of the glory of his grace”, and
that’s back to this adoring Christ.
“Oh, let all that is within me adore
Him” and really appreciate what
we have received in Christ Jesus,
that we are saved by grace.
The wonder of God’s plan
- “In whom we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of his
grace; Wherein he hath abounded
toward us in all wisdom and
prudence; Having made known
unto us the mystery of his will,
according to his good pleasure
which he hath purposed in himself:”
(v.7-9). Again, we don’t read in
this anywhere, do we, of man
64
doing anything. It was Him
before the foundation of the
world, predestinating and saying
this is the path, saying it is what
God has done according to the
riches of His grace that we have
this redemption through the
forgiveness of our sins because of
that which Christ did. Further
that when we in faith receive this
gift of eternal life, there is not only
this forgiveness of our sins, but
then there is also this conversion
of our minds that occurs. I think
that’s what he’s referring to here
when he says, that He abounds
toward us in all wisdom and
prudence that our eyes are opened
and our minds are transformed, as
he wrote in Romans, that we now
see things as they are in ways we
couldn’t see them before.
We marvel because he then in
the end of the chapter wraps all
that up in that really long prayer.
I shouldn’t say a long prayer. I
attempted to read that as it is
written here and those of you
that are paying attention, I ask
you to find a period from verse
15 through verse 23. That is a
pretty long sentence that he says,
in one breath, this prayer that he
has which I think of as just one
thought that he has in this prayer
that he prays. In that prayer he
captures “Oh, let all that is within
me adore Him”, that all that is
within me will be able to grasp in
the limited capacity of our minds
what it is that God has really
done for us.
He’s laying it out, reminding
them of all of the things He
has done for us, that He has
abounded toward us in all
wisdom having made known
unto us the mystery of His will.
The mystery is that through the
church, through the unity of the
brethren in the church, that a
church dwelling together in unity
and love is a testimony. It’s what
Christ said in John 15 and John
17 — by this shall all men know
you are my disciples if you have
love one to another and by this
shall the world know that I have
come if you walk in unity.
The Apostle Paul returns to
that theme in the letter to the
Ephesians and says, look – unity!
You come with one purpose, one
mind. He says there’s neither
Greek nor Jew (Galatians 3:28).
We’re one. It is when a church is in
unity and in love and with all the
diversity of gifts and the diversity
of opinions just as we mentioned
the flowers. What makes flowers
beautiful? It’s when there’s the low
creeping flowers that bloom in
the spring and through those are
the tulips and daffodils that pop
through when the snow is still on
the ground a little a bit and bloom
before anything else does. As
soon as those things die off, there
are some other things with green
leafy foliage that has colors. Then
some other things that are tall
and shrubs in the back that in the
fall turn red. Every one of them
blossoms at a completely different
time. Every one of them had
different heights and had different
purposes. Anytime anybody walks
by there is this beauty that is
observed from the earliest time in
spring until the latest time in fall
because God has ordained that
they every one of them would
blossom in their own way, in their
own time. It is in diversity of the
manner in which God has created.
I thought of just a very small
flowerbed. The same thing occurs
across hillsides, across jungles,
across deserts, and with plants,
with animals, with the fishes, with
the birds, and all of those things.
When we consider the
diversity of what God has created
in all of those things, they all
create an example of the heart
and mind of God. He says now
do that in the church. Do that in
the church and be united together,
each of you in your different ways.
This is a testimony to the world
when how beautiful it is when
brethren dwell together in unity.
He says this is the testimony
and this is the mystery. This is
the mystery that has been hid.
In the world we fight with each
other and so forth. He says let
me show you a better way. He
says dwell together in unity. He
says, “Having made known unto
us the mystery of his will, according
to his good pleasure which he hath
purposed in himself: That in the
dispensation of the fulness of times
he might gather together in one all
things in Christ, both which are in
heaven, and which are on earth;
even in him:” (v.9-10). Gather
together that which Satan hath
dispersed to gather it all together
in one. This mystery.
He says, “That we should be
to the praise of his glory, who first
trusted in Christ. In whom ye also
trusted, after that ye heard the word
of truth, the gospel of your salvation:
in whom also after that ye believed,
ye were sealed with that holy Spirit
of promise, Which is the earnest of
our inheritance until the redemption
of the purchased possession, unto
the praise of his glory.” (v.12-14).
“Oh, let all that is within me adore
Him.” He closes here and he says,
“Wherefore I also, after I heard
of your faith…Cease not to give
thanks for you, making mention of
you in my prayers; That the God of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give unto you the spirit
of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him: The eyes of your
understanding being enlightened;
that ye may know…” (v.15-18). You
can read for yourselves that, again,
you can know what it is that God
would have us to know about
what He has done that all that is
within us would adore Him. We
have many, many reasons to be
thankful, don’t we?
65
Learning from our history
Remembering Our Spiritual Heritage
The next few issues will concentrate on how our church,
which originated in Switzerland and adjacent countries
eventually, gravitated to form a presence in the United
States. The immigration of many souls to American
shores helped to the establishment of many churches here
in America. The material below is taken as excerpts
from Marching to Zion, the written history of the
Apostolic Christian Church in America.
Europe to America
Previous to coming to America, many European
families were faced with decisions of enormous,
lifelong implication. When they decided to
emigrate, it meant leaving their homesteads and
loved ones once and for all time. If a young man
decided, due to reasons of conscience, not to serve
in his country’s military units, he left for America
knowing he could probably never return to his
native land. The “America fever” spread like a
contagion in late nineteenth-century. Bad economic
conditions in Europe and the demand for cheap
labor in the United States raised emigration figures
to a high peak.
The ancestors of Apostolic Christians came
in great numbers to participate in the promises of
America. Many came from the most meager of
circumstances, many descendants of these families
ascended, one hundred years later, to a prosperity
unprecedented in the annals of agrarian history.
American National Policies
Significant to the growth of the nation was the
development in the mid-1900s of travel by canals
and railroads. This hastened the travel capabilities
between the eastern seaboard and the Mississippi
Valley. The Erie Canal tied the Hudson River to the
Great Lakes.
By 1850, the federal government began aiding
western railroads with grants of public lands which
66
the railroads could mortgage or sell to raise money.
Americans in the eastern part of the United States
along with emigrants then headed west to occupy
this farmland.
The Homestead Act of 1862 also promoted the
development of western lands. Any citizen or alien
might acquire 160 acres by residing on it for five
years and paying a small fee. By 1880, almost twenty
million acres were claimed by “homesteaders.”
Evangelical Baptists in Europe, like many
others, suffered economic hardship. They, however,
also suffered religious persecution as well. More
and more, from the 1850s on, it became clear
that emigration to the United States was a viable
alternative. (Note: Their name was later changed to
Apostolic Christian.)
The Way Opens Up To Come To America
Already in 1847 Samuel Froehlich had commissioned
Benedict Weyeneth to go to America. A church
was formed in Lewis County, New York. In 1848,
more Froehlich followers settled near Sardis, Ohio.
Froehlich, in his diary entry of February 28, 1855,
writes, “This morning in Basel, Sister Barbara Ingold
of Niederwil came to me. She and her husband
and five small children are emigrating to America
together with thirty-three other persons. Because
they are so poor, the civil community must support
them. The goal of their journey is Illinois. I gave her
the address of the brethren.”
-By Perry Klopfenstein
Next issue: References to early believers who
came, and their experiences. These are wonderful
occurrences and a thrilling story to tell.
The Light of Hope
We, Too, Are Risen!
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is proof of
His divinity, that He is indeed, the Son of the living,
Creator God. The Apostle Paul wrote, “And if Christ
be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”
1 Cor. 15:17. We rejoice exceedingly as we celebrate
the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. And then,
it has occurred to me that, we, too, are risen, which is
also cause for celebration.
We are taught, “That our old man is crucified
with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6. We
are to be crucified with Christ, which is a prerequisite
for living the resurrected, Christ honoring life. In
verse four we read, “That like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life.” Let us not forget that
we, too, are risen, and have all the responsibilities
that that entails, such as walking in newness of life.
Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a
corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth
alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John
12:24. It is not an easy thing for us to die to self and
to surrender all, but without so doing, we are in a
poor position to influence others for Christ, and we
abide alone.
In our Zion’s Harp hymnal, number 89, we have
a hymn entitled, “The Seven Words of Jesus on the
Cross.” In order to get seven sayings of the Lord Jesus
Christ on the cross, we must count His last words,
“It is finished,” and, “Father into thy hands I commend
my spirit,” as two sayings, not one. In any case, this
is all about Christ’s suffering on the cross and what
He had to say while there. Christ’s greatest suffering
was bearing our sins and that we can’t duplicate or
even imagine, but at least we should be willing to
suffer the death of self and all that it involves. No one
can experience the resurrection until they have first
experienced the death of self.
Returning to Christ’s seven words on the cross, He
said, “My God, my God. Why hast thou forsaken me?”
Matt. 27:46. He felt forsaken of His Heavenly Father.
He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not
what they do.” Luke 23:34. Christ prayed that the
soldiers who crucified Him would be forgiven.
He said to the thief on the cross, “Today shalt
thou be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43. The thief
was forgiven just before he died.
He said to Mary, His mother, “Woman, behold
thy son.” And to John He said, “Behold thy mother.”
John 19:26,27. Jesus asked John to take care of His
mother, Mary.
He said, “I thirst.” John 19:28. Christ’s intense
sufferings on the cross included thirst.
He said, “It is finished.” John 19:30. When Jesus
said that, He evidently meant that His suffering for
the sins of the whole world was complete.
He said, “Father, into thy hands, I commend my
spirit.” Luke 23:46. The Lord Jesus longed to be
with the Father, and so do we. Three days later He
received a new, immortal body.
We, too, are risen. “If ye then be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above.” Col. 1:1. We should
think of ourselves as being risen with Christ, living
the new life.
“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and
it shall be called The way of holiness.” Isaiah 35:8.
Inasmuch as we are risen with Christ, we are called
upon to travel on the highway of holiness. Grace
is not only for forgiveness, but for power to live a
holy life.
-By Willis Ehnle
67
THE SILVER LINING
For in the time of trouble
he shall hide me in his
pavilion: in the secret of
his tabernacle shall he
hide me; he shall set me
up upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5

- Apostolic Christian Church of America

Transcription

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